On Wednesday the court heard Ibrahim was a"trusted and willing participant"of the syndicates between November 2016 and his arrest.
His role began when he was unwittingly introduced to an undercover police operative by one of his co-conspirators Ryan Watsford,who was last year sentenced to four years'jail.
Following that meeting Ibrahim developed a"friendship and trusting relationship"with the operative,who said he could open"doors"for Ibrahim.
Ibrahim then arranged to import smuggled cigarettes using the operative's connections.
Judge Yehia found there was"simply no evidence"Ibrahim was involved in smuggling tobacco,or drug-related activity prior to being introduced to the police operative.
"However,once the opportunity was presented,the offender embraced it,"she said.
She said Ibrahim's involvement in tobacco smuggling was more"consistently enthusiastic"than in drugs,but overall he was a willing participant,motivated by financial gain.
"We're not petty c--ts. We're gonna make millions …. even hundreds of millions,"Ibrahim said to an associate at one stage.
Throughout the conspiracy Ibrahim exercised autonomy and decision-making power,while his presence"guaranteed the smooth running of the enterprises".
Judge Yehia said this was evidenced by his claim that he would be the"eyes and ears"of his co-conspirator Mostafa Dib,during a trip to the Netherlands to collect a sample of drugs.
Dib was sentenced to a maximum 18 years and two months'jail last month.
While Ibrahim could not be considered as the"linchpin",she said he was essential and asserted authority,including when he discovered two associates had taken $65,000 from the group’s dealings without permission.
To punish them,Ibrahim shaved a strip down the middle of their heads and circulated photos of the haircut to the group.
His arrest led to more than 500 police officers conducting raids at 30 properties across Sydney,including John Ibrahim's Dover Heights home.
Upon sentencing,Judge Yehia accepted Ibrahim’s intelligence was"not better than low average". However,she was not of the view this reduced his moral culpability.
The court heard Ibrahim’s mother was 72 and suffering medical conditions.
"There is a real chance his mother will never see her son as a free man,"Judge Yehia said.
She told the court Ibrahim had submitted a letter of apology,but said it did not contain an actual apology or any remorse.
Ibrahim has spent 14 years in jail since 2002,including for assault,drug supply and the 2006 manslaughter of Robin Nassour,the brother ofFat Pizza comedian George Nassour,to which he pleaded guilty.
"If not already institutionalised,he certainly will be on release,"Judge Yehia said.
With time already served,he will be eligible for parole on August 7,2035.