Guy Quenneville
Northern News Services
Wednesday, July 18, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - With former Right Spot owner Ken Wong's sentencing on Tuesday, the highest-profile drug bust case in Yellowknife's history draws closer to a conclusion.

Wong, 58, was given a sentence of six years for one count of trafficking cocaine, one count of money laundering and one count of tax evasion, plus fines totalling $496,000. Five of those years were for trafficking; one for money laundering.

Justice Ted Richard overturned a joint submission from the Crown and the defence asking for a sentence of five years.

"My concern about the inadequacy of the (joint submission) has not abated," said Richard.

"For several years, there have been serious social problems associated with the illegal cocaine trade in Yellowknife," he said, citing incidents of theft, breaking and entering, assault and homicide.

Richard characterized Wong and the other major Project Gunship defendants as "vultures and predators who prey on those weak members of the community" and have "no scruples about the havoc that results."

Wong remained composed for most his appearance, but as the judge neared his delivery of the sentence, Wong could be seen breathing heavily.

Prosecutor Shelley Tkatch described Wong as a supplier of cocaine at the multi-gram and multi-ounce level, but information submitted in court indicated Wong had higher ambitions.

According to the agreed statement of facts for Wong's case, another Gunship defendant, Chandra Mudaliar, who was acting on Wong's behalf, met with a man from Richmond, B.C. in September of 2005 with the intent of buying one kilo of cocaine for $30,000. The deal ultimately did not go through.

"We did not lay any charges in the NWT against (the B.C. man)," said Tkatch. "He lives in Vancouver and we'll leave it to the investigators in British Columbia to use this information to assist on any investigation they may have."

Mudaliar, charged with one count of conspiring to traffic cocaine, was sentenced last month to three years in prison, but due to time spent in remand, he will serve 18 months.

Of the 11 people arrested under Project Gunship in October 2005, there are still four defendants who have yet to either stand trial or receive sentencing.

According to Tkatch, the case against Sandra Gellenbeck, charged with conspiring to traffic cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, should be resolved by Sept. 6.

"We're anticipating to resolve those matters that day," said Tkatch.

Phillip Mullins is charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, conspiring to traffic cocaine, trafficking marijuana, and uttering threats against a citizen and the RCMP.

"Mullins' matter is still set for trial," said Tkatch.

Pre-trial motions dealing with "issues with respect to admissibility of evidence" will take place on Sept. 18.

Hoa Ngo and Dan Vermeulen face one count each of conspiring to traffic cocaine.

"We will decide what to do with them after Ms. Gellenbeck is resolved. I have a serious decision (to make) as to whether I want to proceed with a complete wiretap prosecution on (these) two minor players."