Corporal Rodney Gray

Following jury convictions for conspiracy to import and importation of large quantities of opium, the court determined appropriate sentences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Criminal Code.

The offences involved three sophisticated shipments of opium concealed in commercial goods imported from Iran, totalling more than 120 kilograms and valued in the millions of dollars.

The court emphasized denunciation and general deterrence given the scale of the operation, the organized nature of the scheme, and the dangerous nature of Schedule I drugs.

Mitigating factors included the offenders’ lack of prior criminal records, family support, and time spent in harsh pre‑sentence custody conditions.

Global sentences of 14 years’ imprisonment for one offender and 12 years’ imprisonment for the other were imposed, with enhanced credit for pre‑sentence custody.

The accused faced a 60-count indictment following 'Project A-Wire', an RCMP investigation into drug trafficking, weapons, proceeds of crime, extortion, and criminal interest rates.

The Crown relied heavily on intercepted communications, surveillance, and physical evidence seized from multiple locations, including a stash apartment, a bar, and the accused's residence.

The court found the accused guilty of conspiring to traffic in cocaine, marijuana, and hashish, and of leading a criminal organization.

The accused was also convicted of possessing prohibited and restricted firearms, possessing proceeds of crime, extortion, and entering into agreements to receive interest at a criminal rate.

The accused was acquitted of receiving payments at a criminal interest rate and one count of extortion.