One of two men caught with 330 grams of crack cocaine was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

Butrus Franci Marol appeared in Court of Queen’s Bench in Drumheller on Thursday, June 23. He pleaded guilty to possession of a schedule 1 substance for the purposes of trafficking.

The court heard how on June 9, 2014, at about 11:30 p.m. constables Jones and Amatto had earlier set up to do traffic enforcement near the Gordon Taylor Bridge. 

Police observed a red Chevrolet Impala travelling north over the bridge with a poorly illuminated license plate.  

Constable Jones attempted to stop the vehicle, but it made no effort to stop and began swerving. 

Jones observed one of the passengers stick their arm out the window and throw a small package out the window. The car continued about another 150 metres. Marol was driving the car.

Jones called for back up and Amatto detained the occupants of the vehicle. 

Jones located two of the discarded bags, which contained 330 grams of crack cocaine, with an estimated street value of $30,000.

Marol and Mngdeng Akoy were arrested and charged.

Defense for Marol, D. Vasilescu said her client is now 27 years old and has one child. He has spent about 13 and half months in custody. 

Vasilescu and Federal Prosecutor Lajvir Benipal agreed on a joint submission for a sentence of three and a half years, minus credit for his time spent awaiting his sentence. Justice Romaine agreed to the joint submission.

Akoy’s charges have yet to be resolved.

The lockdown put in place at the Drumheller Instiution on June 23 has ended and an exceptional search of the medium security unit has been completed.

Correctional Service Canada initiated the lockdown to allow staff to search for contraband in the institution and to ensure a safe and secure environment for staff and inmates. 

CSC is strengthening measures to prevent the entry of contraband into its institutions, and also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to have contraband brought into correctional institutions.