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Two men driving pickup trucks to Alberta with thousands of dollars of marijuana on board will not get jail sentences, despite the value of the seized crop.
Ranjesh Ram and Benjamin Williams, caught by RCMP in unrelated incidents transporting large quantities of dope, received conditional sentence orders with curfews Thursday in B.C. Supreme Court.
Despite being unconnected, the offences are similar: both men were driving pickup trucks carrying marijuana on Highway 5N en route to Alberta and both were speeding when caught.
Ram was pulled over in March, 2011, at Louis Creek travelling 140 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. RCMP impounded the rental pickup because Ram was driving in excess of 60 km/h over the posted speed.
Officers smelled marijuana and later found $45,000 worth stored in half-pound bags.
Ram, a 26-year-old Edmonton body shop owner, pleaded guilty to possession for the purpose of trafficking. He has no previous criminal record.
A co-accused was in the same truck and also pleaded guilty, receiving an 18-month conditional sentence.
Crown lawyer Anthony Varesi originally asked for 10 months jail for Ram, but made a joint submission Thursday along with the defence based on the conditional sentence given to Ram's partner.
In the second instance, Benjamin Williams was pulled over speeding by an RCMP patrol car near McLure in April last year.
Police smelled marijuana and a search netted $20,000 worth of pot. Williams was headed home to Fort McMurray, where he works as a heavy equipment operator.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Hope Hyslop also gave Williams an 18-month conditional sentence, with a nine-month curfew.
Defence lawyer Mark Cacchioni said Williams "is not a drug dealer who goes back and forth between the Coast and Fort McMurray."
Instead, he said Williams suffers from ADHD and uses pot to overcome symptoms. He was making the run to supply his own needs as well as friends.
Williams must remain free from all drugs and alcohol during his sentence. He may also be subject to police checks.
Cacchioni also noted the pickup was turned over to the Crown in a civil forfeiture hearing – a $50,000 loss for the Williams family.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: kamloopsnews.ca
Author: kamloopsnews.ca
Contact: Contact Us | Kamloops Daily News
Website: Alberta pot-pipeline drivers avoid jail time | City & Region | Kamloops Daily News
Ranjesh Ram and Benjamin Williams, caught by RCMP in unrelated incidents transporting large quantities of dope, received conditional sentence orders with curfews Thursday in B.C. Supreme Court.
Despite being unconnected, the offences are similar: both men were driving pickup trucks carrying marijuana on Highway 5N en route to Alberta and both were speeding when caught.
Ram was pulled over in March, 2011, at Louis Creek travelling 140 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. RCMP impounded the rental pickup because Ram was driving in excess of 60 km/h over the posted speed.
Officers smelled marijuana and later found $45,000 worth stored in half-pound bags.
Ram, a 26-year-old Edmonton body shop owner, pleaded guilty to possession for the purpose of trafficking. He has no previous criminal record.
A co-accused was in the same truck and also pleaded guilty, receiving an 18-month conditional sentence.
Crown lawyer Anthony Varesi originally asked for 10 months jail for Ram, but made a joint submission Thursday along with the defence based on the conditional sentence given to Ram's partner.
In the second instance, Benjamin Williams was pulled over speeding by an RCMP patrol car near McLure in April last year.
Police smelled marijuana and a search netted $20,000 worth of pot. Williams was headed home to Fort McMurray, where he works as a heavy equipment operator.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Hope Hyslop also gave Williams an 18-month conditional sentence, with a nine-month curfew.
Defence lawyer Mark Cacchioni said Williams "is not a drug dealer who goes back and forth between the Coast and Fort McMurray."
Instead, he said Williams suffers from ADHD and uses pot to overcome symptoms. He was making the run to supply his own needs as well as friends.
Williams must remain free from all drugs and alcohol during his sentence. He may also be subject to police checks.
Cacchioni also noted the pickup was turned over to the Crown in a civil forfeiture hearing – a $50,000 loss for the Williams family.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: kamloopsnews.ca
Author: kamloopsnews.ca
Contact: Contact Us | Kamloops Daily News
Website: Alberta pot-pipeline drivers avoid jail time | City & Region | Kamloops Daily News
