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Canada: Serious time for Drug dealers/Drug Labs
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by Barry ORegan | November 21, 2007 at 06:02 am
4447 views | 3 Recommendations | 4 comments
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Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor
Though the Conservative Governments Crime Bill will be more of a deterrent than the previous laws allow, it certainly leaves a lot to be desired as some British Columbia's Judges practice "Catch and Release "programs in their treatment of criminals may once again allow a judge to misinterpretation of this crime bill.
The Feds mandatory 2- year prison time for 500 marijuana plants or 1- year sentence for selling drugs combined with violence or weapons raises the following problems:
Counting marijuana plants to get that 500 plant mark in order to get a conviction may start Grow Operators booby trapping their plant beds with flammables in order to destroy the evidence count making it harder for officers to make convictions stick.
Drug Dealers with weapons or invlved with violence or selling on behalf of a criminal organization does not clearly define what kind of drugs they are talking about, we can assume marijuana, but Judges and laws do not work on assumptions which could result in the conviction being overturned. The law has to clearly define that one.
Dealing hard drugs near a school or where youth are present doesn't make sense, it should be serious time for the crime period regardless where they sell it.
I would also would like to have seen more clearly defined laws on seizure of asset in the proceeds of crime which can really be a deterrent to a criminal organization.
My Final Thought
I routinely get requests in the Western US and Canada to speak about illegal drugs and the human risks, and last week I have been asked to speak at this summers 2008 International Crime Free Annual Conference in British Columbia to speak to Police Agencies, Property Owners, Financial and Insurance Institutions and Municipalities on Crime, Drugs and Illegal Drug Manufacturing Laboratories. It would be nice if politicians and judges who make these laws and hand down sentences attended these conferences, but alas since it is normally held in the summer, their vacation cottages beckon them.
Tories crack down on drug dealers and grow-opsMeagan Fitzpatrick and Richard Foot, CanWest News Service
Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2007
OTTAWA -- The government introduced new legislation on Tuesday that promises to crack down on serious drug crimes by imposing mandatory jail sentences.
The proposals, which would mean changes to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, include the following:
-- a one-year mandatory sentence for dealing drugs when a weapon or violence is involved, or when the drugs are dealt for organized crime purposes
"With today's bill we are saying that serious drug crimes mean serious jail time," said Justice Minister Rob Nicholson.
A two-year mandatory sentence for dealing drugs, such as cocaine, heroin or methamphetamines, to youth or for dealing near a school or in an area frequented by youth
-- running a large marijuana grow operation of at least 500 plants will mean an automatic two-year jail term
-- the maximum penalty for cannabis production would increase from seven to 14 years
The government says the legislation will also introduce tougher penalties for trafficking GHB and other drugs known as date-rape drugs.
"Drug producers and dealers threaten the safety of our communities, they must face tougher penalties,"said Justice Minister Rob Nicholson at a press conference following the bill's introduction in the House of Commons. "We want to put organized crime out of business in this country."
The reforms are part of the government's national anti-drug strategy, announced last month.
Currently, there are no mandatory minimum sentences.
"With today's bill we are saying that serious drug crimes mean serious jail time," said Mr. Nicholson.
The justice minister said the new bill targets drug dealers and producers, not those who are addicted to drugs and commit crimes to support their habit.
The new legislation allows for exceptions to made if an offender completes a drug treatment court program. In that instance, a judge may forgo the mandatory minimum sentence and instead give a reduced or suspended sentence to the offender. Drug treatment court programs blend judicial supervision, social services support and sanctions for non-compliance.
Mr. Nicholson said the proposed changes are not an indication that judges are being too lenient in their sentencing, but rather, that the changes reflect how serious the government takes the "growing problem"of drug production and trafficking in Canada.
"Judges apply the laws that we have but it's Parliament's job to set those guidelines and so we are living up to our responsibility to set those guidelines,"said Mr. Nicholson.
"We've made it very clear that those individuals who are in the business of exploiting other people through organized crime and other aggravating factors through this bill -- we want to get serious with those individuals and send the right message to them.
"It's a very clear message: 'You will be doing jail time.'"
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Barry ORegan
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Recommendations (3)
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (4)
at 09:33 on December 18th, 2007
Barry Artiste, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 16:41 on December 18th, 2007
Thanks Boston, and thanks for the video, I have watched it on tv, so true to life.
at 22:28 on July 23rd, 2008
It's a joke.
In Vancouver, drug dealers rule. The build custom homes, drive custom cars, get preferential treatment from bylaws officers, get the best tables at restaurants, and they control the night life.
Just look at Ginger 62 on Granville. The owners give drug dealers thier own entrance at the rear, free form searches and problems. When Vancouver finest show up, the back door becomes a very well-used exit.
More so than this - Vancouver's restaurant community is HIGHLY support by the drug business. a Terrazia, Quattro's on Fourth, Feenies are just a few. Entire sections of the businesses are closed off for private parties, paid for in bundles of 20's. Give me a break. This, if anything is a joke. When does a 20-something gang-banger pay for an 8K dinner with cash - without drawing the attention of the owners?
Not in Vancouver. They don't care. Because the government doesn't care. The drug business keeps this economy afloat.
Look into the name 'Szakal'. You will find nothing. Yet this man builds custom homes, drives at 70K car at the age of 34, and can afford at 15K per month lifestyle. Restaurants alter their schedules for him. He has access to every major studio's movie production, and yet has no source of income. Look into his girlfriend, and you'll get more scared. She works with some of the largest logistics firms in the world. She does the importing, he does the distribution.
The police don't care. As long as he does'nt kill again, he's left to build his business. Based on the the destruction of society.
at 01:14 on July 19th, 2009
The sad truth is that the poster is right. Too many drug dealers aren't part of the 'organized' efforst gpvernment is trying to eradicate (unsuccessfully). Donny is another example of the small time dealer that skirts the law 'cause of favours. Just check out his new digs and you'll see why dealers in Canada get the easy path.