News (Media Awareness Project) - CN SN: Pot Trafficker Races Through Court Process |
| Title: | CN SN: Pot Trafficker Races Through Court Process |
| Published On: | 2006-09-21 |
| Source: | StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-08-17 23:54:56 |
POT TRAFFICKER RACES THROUGH COURT PROCESS
MOOSE JAW (SNN) -- A B.C. man arrested Tuesday with two duffel bags full of marijuana was sent to prison for three years after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Martin Joseph Brazeau of Meadow Creek, B.C., was stopped by Moose Jaw RCMP for a potential traffic violation at around 11 a.m. The 34-year- old was driving a Subaru car eastbound on the Trans-Canada Highway.
"The accused was observed travelling east and rapidly slowing down," said Crown prosecutor Suzanne Young. "The officer observed movement in the back seat of the car, which he believed to be an unrestrained passenger."
Brazeau's car was stopped and what the officer believed was an unbuckled passenger turned out to be a large dog.
As the officer spoke with Brazeau, he smelled a strong odour of raw marijuana, Young said. When questioned, Brazeau said he had roughly 2.7 kilograms of marijuana in the car. He later admitted the amount was closer to 10 kilograms.
Police discovered more than 10 kilograms of marijuana packed in duffel bags in the trunk.
Police also seized $1,100 from the car and the Moose Jaw Humane Society was called to take away the dog.
Brazeau was still in police custody when he appeared in court Wednesday. He was not represented by a lawyer, claiming the cost was more than he wished to pay. He then told provincial court Judge Douglas Kovatch he wanted to plead guilty.
Asked by Kovatch if he was certain he didn't want a lawyer, Brazeau replied: "I have a family back home and I know I done the crime, so I want it done. I hope it will make things better in the future."
Young said she and Brazeau had reached a consensus on a sentence for the crime.
"We agreed that given the circumstances of the offence and his criminal record alone, a period of three years incarceration is appropriate," Young said.
Kovatch asked Brazeau if he agreed that three years would be a proper sentence.
"I thought it was decent. It was OK," he said.
Asked once more if he wished to consult a lawyer, Brazeau explained the lawyer he consulted wanted $2,500 up front and $20,000 for a bail deposit.
"I don't want to put my family to the street, so I just want to do my time," he said.
Kovatch agreed that a three-year prison term would fall within the proper range of punishment for the offence and ordered the term.
MOOSE JAW (SNN) -- A B.C. man arrested Tuesday with two duffel bags full of marijuana was sent to prison for three years after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Martin Joseph Brazeau of Meadow Creek, B.C., was stopped by Moose Jaw RCMP for a potential traffic violation at around 11 a.m. The 34-year- old was driving a Subaru car eastbound on the Trans-Canada Highway.
"The accused was observed travelling east and rapidly slowing down," said Crown prosecutor Suzanne Young. "The officer observed movement in the back seat of the car, which he believed to be an unrestrained passenger."
Brazeau's car was stopped and what the officer believed was an unbuckled passenger turned out to be a large dog.
As the officer spoke with Brazeau, he smelled a strong odour of raw marijuana, Young said. When questioned, Brazeau said he had roughly 2.7 kilograms of marijuana in the car. He later admitted the amount was closer to 10 kilograms.
Police discovered more than 10 kilograms of marijuana packed in duffel bags in the trunk.
Police also seized $1,100 from the car and the Moose Jaw Humane Society was called to take away the dog.
Brazeau was still in police custody when he appeared in court Wednesday. He was not represented by a lawyer, claiming the cost was more than he wished to pay. He then told provincial court Judge Douglas Kovatch he wanted to plead guilty.
Asked by Kovatch if he was certain he didn't want a lawyer, Brazeau replied: "I have a family back home and I know I done the crime, so I want it done. I hope it will make things better in the future."
Young said she and Brazeau had reached a consensus on a sentence for the crime.
"We agreed that given the circumstances of the offence and his criminal record alone, a period of three years incarceration is appropriate," Young said.
Kovatch asked Brazeau if he agreed that three years would be a proper sentence.
"I thought it was decent. It was OK," he said.
Asked once more if he wished to consult a lawyer, Brazeau explained the lawyer he consulted wanted $2,500 up front and $20,000 for a bail deposit.
"I don't want to put my family to the street, so I just want to do my time," he said.
Kovatch agreed that a three-year prison term would fall within the proper range of punishment for the offence and ordered the term.
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