The court sentenced a repeat drug offender who pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking after police seized 22 grams of crack cocaine, a digital scale with cocaine residue, and cash.
The offender had a prior Schedule I importing conviction, triggering a mandatory minimum sentence of one year under the CDSA.
Balancing denunciation and deterrence against the guilty plea, mental health concerns, rehabilitative prospects, and pre-sentence custody, the court fixed the range at 18 to 30 months and imposed a sentence at the low end.
The effective sentence was 18 months' imprisonment, reduced by 12 months' enhanced credit for pre-sentence custody, together with forfeiture, DNA, and lifetime weapons prohibition orders on consent.