DRUG TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON

A Colwood man arrested in connection with one of the region's biggest
drug seizures has been sentenced to more than three years in a federal
penitentiary.

Kevin Michael Vezina, who was arrested on a busy downtown street last
year after police smashed the window of his car, pleaded guilty in
December to three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking
cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Vezina also pleaded guilty to
possession of stolen property, including several unique gold rings and
a ring from the Mann Cup -- the Canadian men's lacrosse championship
- -- that belonged to the brother of Victoria police spokesman Sgt.
Grant Hamilton.

Yesterday, provincial court Judge Michael Hubbard sentenced Vezina to
40 months on each trafficking charge and 18 months on the charge of
possession of stolen property. The sentences are to be served
concurrently. Vezina, who was credited with four months time served
for the two months he spent in custody, must serve a further 36-month
sentence.

Hubbard also imposed a 10-year weapons prohibition and a DNA order.
Vezina has forfeited two cars -- a 2008 Nissan Altima and a 2005
Toyota Tacoma -- as well as the cash seized by police.

"You have been involved in a very substantial drug operation and to
your credit you have come to plead guilty," said Hubbard.

Federal prosecutor Dirk Ryneveld told the court the Victoria police
strike force began investigating Vezina in November 2008 and joined
with the regional crime unit to conduct surveillance on him from Jan.
13 to Feb. 19.

On Feb. 18, police obtained search warrants for Vezina's home at 280
Milburn Dr., his room at the Hotel Grand Pacific and his cars. The
following day, when police arrested Vezina at the intersection of
Pandora Avenue and Douglas Street, they searched his Nissan Altima and
found crystal meth, $8,250 in cash, cocaine and heroin.

Officers recovered two kilograms of cocaine worth $100,000 and eight
ounces of heroin worth $25,000 in his hotel room. They found about
half a kilogram of cocaine at Vezina's house on Milburn Drive, weigh
scales, drug cooking materials and other paraphernalia, said Ryneveld.

"The total value of the drugs and cash seized according to the police
was $246,700," he said.

In asking for a 40-month sentence, Ryneveld told the court Vezina had
a criminal record for possession for the purpose of trafficking dating
back to May 2004 in Newfoundland and Labrador, for which he received a
25-month sentence.