DRUG DEALERS RECEIVE HEFTY SENTENCES

Trio Ran Sophisticated Cocaine Trafficking Ring Over Two-Year Period

Three drug dealers who operated a sophisticated cocaine trafficking
ring were sentenced Friday to lengthy prison terms.

John Reginald Alcantara, Nicholas James Roberts, and Sean David
Critch were found guilty earlier this year of conspiracy to traffic
cocaine in 2005 and 2006.

Alcantara, a full-patch member of the Hells Angels, was among the
leaders of the conspiracy. It was alleged he controlled the purse
strings of the operation, but there was no evidence he handled the drugs.

One kilogram of cocaine was worth between $26,000 and $27,000 in
Edmonton during that time period, according to evidence presented at trial.

Court of Queen's Justice Doreen Sulyma handed Alcantara a 14-year
prison sentence, less five years and two months for time served in
pre-trial custody. His Cadillac, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and an
Arctic Cat snowmobile, which were seized from his home during police
searches in 2006, will not be returned.

Sulyma found Roberts to be another high-ranking member of the cocaine
distribution operation. Crown prosecutors called him a "food boss"
who provided drugs to street-level dealers to distribute.

The judge noted Roberts has been employed since his youth and he
continued to work throughout his involvement with the drug
trafficking operation. Sulyma said she expected him to find gainful
employment in the future.

However, she noted that Roberts continued to traffic cocaine even
after he was arrested.

"One would have expected an intelligent person would have quit the
trade and found other ways to earn an income," Sulyma said.

She sentenced him to seven years, less three years and four months
for time served.

Critch was described as working at the lower levels of the drug
trafficking hierarchy. However, he was described as an "exuberant
trafficker." During trial, police recordings of Critch showed him
complaining about working 16-hour days.

After police searched and seized items from Critch's home, he told
his mother that he had lost$20,000, but he also let her know he would
continue to deal drugs.

He was sentenced to seven years, but his sentence will be reduced by
five years for time served in pre-trial custody. The trio, who had
several family members and friends in court Friday, smiled and waved
to their supporters.

In addition to the conspiracy charge, Alcantara was found guilty of
possessing the proceeds of crime, possession of marijuana and three
possession of illegal weapons charges.

Roberts was also found guilty of trafficking cocaine, possession for
the purpose of trafficking. Critch was also found guilty of
possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the
proceeds of crime and possession of marijuana.