MAN BURNED IN DRUG MISHAP GETS THREE YEARS

A Regina Man With No Previous Criminal Record Has Learned The Hard
Way That Crime Doesn't Pay.

Already having suffered serious burns during one of his offences,
Andrew Anderson is now heading to prison for three years.

Anderson, 21, appeared in Regina Court of Queen's Bench on Tuesday,
when he entered guilty pleas to two drug offences -- production of
cannabis resin and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The first offence dates back to Jan. 10, 2004, when Anderson was 18.

Members of the Regina Integrated Drug Unit were led to Anderson
during an investigation into cocaine dealing.

During the investigation, police intercepted private communications
between various members of the drug community.

In one such communication, police learned that Anderson was headed on
a drug-related trip to Vancouver. Vancouver police were contacted and
they conducted surveillance on Anderson and a man who was with him.

The pair was stopped just outside Revelstoke, B.C., where police came
to believe the duo had drugs in their possession.

A search of the vehicle found several packages of cocaine, weighing
more than three kilograms.

Anderson was taken back to Regina and released on conditions.

He again found himself in trouble on May 24 of this year, after
police and fire crews were called to a residence on the 2100 block of
Wallace Street. A neighbour had called 9-1-1, reporting what sounded
like a small explosion from the house.

In the basement, fire crews found marijuana stalks and leaves that
had been ground up for cannabis resin production. A total of 323.7
grams of marijuana in various forms was found. Police, who were
called in to investigate, also noted numerous pieces of drug
paraphernalia and some butane containers.

The cause of the fire was traced to those containers. Investigators
found that an attempt to use the butane to clean bowls used for resin
production had sparked a flash fire.

Anderson's lawyer, Brad Tilling, told sentencing Justice Ian McLellan
his client had received burns to both his arms and legs in the fire
- -- and he is still suffering from the burns. Anderson was initially
taken for treatment and was arrested once he was released from the
hospital some time later.

In court, Tilling recounted his client's troubled past which has been
plagued by drug addiction. Tilling said Anderson intends to address
those issues while in prison.

Before passing sentence, McLellan warned Anderson that he is not
likely to receive as light a sentence should he again find himself
before the court on drug-related charges.