Nicholas Martinelli, formerly of Bridges Road, New Lambton, was sentenced to a maximum 10 years and six months' jail in Newcastle District Court.

Judge Ralph Coolahan said grey-haired, glasses-wearing Martinelli, who appeared for sentence in a green prison tracksuit, was motivated by profit and greed and had shown "absolutely no evidence of remorse" for his activities, which involved the commercial supply of amphetamines and the supply of cocaine.

Martinelli's age and history of illness "doesn't seem to have slowed him", Judge Coolahan said.

His supporters appeared shocked and wept after the sentence was handed down.

Martinelli's brother, Francesco, 67, and nephew Dino, 47, both of Lowry Street, Cardiff, each pleaded guilty in Newcastle Local Court yesterday to ongoing supply of amphetamines.

They have been committed to Newcastle District Court for sentence.

The court heard that the trio was arrested as part of Strike Force Emily, a Newcastle police operation involving the NSW Crime Commission.

During nearly a year of telephone intercepts and physical surveillance, Nicholas Martinelli used complicated strategies to conceal his family's drug operation, the court heard.

These included using mobile services registered in fake names, using eight different phone services, using code words to organise drug transactions, speaking in an Italian dialect, discussing methods to avoid being stopped while transporting drugs, such as using taxis, and methods of secreting drugs in his car.

He also arranged deals in public places to reduce car and pedestrian traffic to his home. He used electronic monitoring and surveillance equipment at his home.

Martinelli sold drugs both to users and other suppliers, who resold them.

During their investigation, police intercepted more than 3000 drug-related calls.

Martinelli supplied a total of 300 grams of amphetamines. He was arrested on September 18 last year after buying 28 grams of cocaine for $7000.

Judge Coolahan dismissed a defence that Martinelli's activities were to support a gambling habit.

He said he took into account Martinelli's history of prostate cancer and his criminal past, which included drugs and illegal gambling offences.