Yellowknife (Dec 19/03) - A Yellowknife man who went on a crime spree in a desperate search for drug money was sentenced to 10 months in jail, Tuesday.

Joey Currie, 20, pleaded guilty in territorial court to trafficking, theft and two counts of assault.

Police first picked up Currie on Oct. 3 during a downtown sweep nicknamed Operation Hydra.

He was arrested behind the Gold Range after officers spotted him passing a package of crack-cocaine to a cab driver in exchange for an undisclosed amount of money.

He then gave the money to another man.

Crown prosecutor Andrew Fox described Currie as an intermediary -- someone who sets up deals between sellers and users.

"Many people like Currie scurry around the bottom protecting the big guys," said Chief Judge Michel Bourassa, in sentencing him to 10 months behind bars.

"The effect of crack-cocaine on society and individuals is so destructive. There are so many acts of violence associated with the drug trade."

A month after the bust, Radio Shack employees caught Currie trying to steal a $400 DVD player. A little more than a week later, Currie told a pizza store employee that he would "slice his throat" if he didn't hand over all the money in the cash register.

The employee refused, walked back to the kitchen and picked up a long wooden fork at which point Currie left the store.

The next day, he grabbed a pair of scissors from the front desk of the Fraser Tower Suites and pointed them at an employee.

"Clearly he was prone to violence," said Fox.

Currie's lawyer said his client went on the spree to get money for one last coke binge before he checked into a drug and alcohol rehab program.

"He has a serious problem," said Robert Gorin.

Currie told the court that going to jail has actually been a blessing in disguise.

"I know what I did was wrong. Going to jail has made me smarter," he said.

Bourassa sentenced the 20-year-old to 10 months in jail for trafficking and nine months for the other crimes to be served concurrently.

Without much education or a marketable trade, Bourassa wasn't optimistic about his chances of rehabilitation.

"Nothing is going to change when he gets out. His buddies will all be waiting for him," the judge said.