PUSHER GETS STRICT CURFEW

Man To Pay For 'Huge Mistake'

The parents of a 40-year-old drug dealer sentenced to spend the next 20
months under a strict curfew in their home may be wondering who got the
worst punishment.

Yesterday, Court of Queen's Bench Justice Donald Bryk convicted Carlos
Alberto Silva of trafficking crack cocaine.

Bryk gave Silva a strict conditional sentence, which includes a 12-month
absolute curfew that only allows him to leave to go to work. The remaining
eight months of his sentence allows three hours of freedom before and after
work.

The CP Rail employee was living with his parents prior to the conviction.

"You have brought disgrace on yourself and your family," Bryk said. "I hope
that thought will trouble you for a long time."

Court heard Silva -- who had no criminal record -- became involved with
another man who was selling crack cocaine through a mutual friend. Silva
was behind the wheel of his van, with the dealer in the passenger seat,
when the two were caught by police in June 2000.

Silva's lawyer, Andrew Kelly, said his client had no idea his passenger was
selling drugs.

Bryk dismissed the man's denial.

"You have made one huge mistake and you will pay for it for the next 20
months," he said. "Hopefully, the lesson has already been learned."