One year in jail for cocaine dealer
Judge wants traffickers 'punished in a meaningful way'
James Goldie
Northern News Services
Friday, October 23, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A small-time drug dealer has been handed a 12-month jail sentence a year after being caught selling crack cocaine to undercover officers near Centre Square Mall.
Jerome Edgar, 42, who had already pleaded guilty to the two counts of drug trafficking, was sentenced Friday for offenses committed in 2014 during the RCMP's Project Gloomy - an undercover drug operation carried out last year in Yellowknife.
The court heard how on Aug. 7, 2014, an undercover officer approached Edgar in front of Centre Square Mall on Franklin Avenue expressing an interest in finding and purchasing drugs, specifically crack cocaine. Edgar said he could sell the agent a "piece" (0.5 grams) of the rock-like substance for $100.
He produced a plastic baggie containing the drug and broke off small pieces into the palm of his hand, eyeballing the amount and asking if the agent was satisfied, which he was. Edgar did not have an extra baggie in which to transfer the drug.
The men exchanged phone numbers and the next day Edgar phoned the officer, asking if he wanted to buy more. They met at Frobisher House apartments and Edgar sold the officer two "pieces" for $160. Before parting ways, Edgar asked the officer for $5 and was given some coins. Edgar was arrested on Aug. 27, charged with trafficking and released the next day on a promise to appear in court to answer to the charges.
Crown prosecutor Duane Praught recommended 10 to 12 months in jail, a 10-year firearms ban, and probation, which would "hopefully" address Edgar's addiction issues.
Praught said selling a drug classified as one of the most harmful, in a form that is more addictive than regular cocaine, and the fact that he was selling in an area frequented by young people were all aggravating factors in this case.
Defense lawyer Tu Pham emphasized his client's long struggle with drugs and alcohol.
"(Dealing) is a means of supporting his cocaine addiction," he said, adding that it was not a crime of profit or greed.
Judge Robert Bourassa took issue with this claim, saying even if Edgar was just using his drug money to purchase food and more drugs, he was still profiting from such sales.
"It's a crime of business," he said. "He's in it for business and that has to be deterred."
He echoed the prosecution's comments about the seriousness of selling drugs in a public place frequented by young people, and of the overall harm the drug trade is having on Yellowknife.
"These crimes will be punished in a meaningful way," he said.
In addition to jail time and the firearms ban, Bourassa ordered Edgar to provide a DNA sample. Bourassa did not issue probation because of Edgar's 14 previous failures to comply with court orders relating to past offenses. On the subject of rehabilitation for drug addiction, he said "on a number of occasions, jail has acted as a remarkable wake-up call" to those convicted.
When asked if he would like to address the court, Edgar mumbled something that was inaudible.
