The offender was convicted of trafficking in cocaine under s. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and possession of proceeds of crime under s. 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code following an undercover police purchase.
The Crown sought a custodial sentence of six months while the defence proposed a conditional sentence.
The court considered the offender’s youth, lack of prior record, supportive family, and employment prospects as mitigating factors, but emphasized the seriousness of crack cocaine trafficking and the risk of re‑offending given the offender’s ongoing drug use.
Applying the principles governing conditional sentences from Supreme Court authority, the court found that community safety concerns and the need for denunciation and deterrence required a custodial sentence.
A short period of incarceration followed by probation was imposed.
