Pubdate: Sat, 05 Dec 2009
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2009 The Edmonton Journal
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/letters.html
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Alexandra Zabjek

DRUG DEALERS RECEIVE HEFTY SENTENCES

Trio Ran Sophisticated Cocaine Trafficking Ring Over Two-Year Period

Three drug dealers who operated a sophisticated cocaine trafficking 
ring were sentenced Friday to lengthy prison terms.

John Reginald Alcantara, Nicholas James Roberts, and Sean David 
Critch were found guilty earlier this year of conspiracy to traffic 
cocaine in 2005 and 2006.

Alcantara, a full-patch member of the Hells Angels, was among the 
leaders of the conspiracy. It was alleged he controlled the purse 
strings of the operation, but there was no evidence he handled the drugs.

One kilogram of cocaine was worth between $26,000 and $27,000 in 
Edmonton during that time period, according to evidence presented at trial.

Court of Queen's Justice Doreen Sulyma handed Alcantara a 14-year 
prison sentence, less five years and two months for time served in 
pre-trial custody. His Cadillac, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and an 
Arctic Cat snowmobile, which were seized from his home during police 
searches in 2006, will not be returned.

Sulyma found Roberts to be another high-ranking member of the cocaine 
distribution operation. Crown prosecutors called him a "food boss" 
who provided drugs to street-level dealers to distribute.

The judge noted Roberts has been employed since his youth and he 
continued to work throughout his involvement with the drug 
trafficking operation. Sulyma said she expected him to find gainful 
employment in the future.

However, she noted that Roberts continued to traffic cocaine even 
after he was arrested.

"One would have expected an intelligent person would have quit the 
trade and found other ways to earn an income," Sulyma said.

She sentenced him to seven years, less three years and four months 
for time served.

Critch was described as working at the lower levels of the drug 
trafficking hierarchy. However, he was described as an "exuberant 
trafficker." During trial, police recordings of Critch showed him 
complaining about working 16-hour days.

After police searched and seized items from Critch's home, he told 
his mother that he had lost$20,000, but he also let her know he would 
continue to deal drugs.

He was sentenced to seven years, but his sentence will be reduced by 
five years for time served in pre-trial custody. The trio, who had 
several family members and friends in court Friday, smiled and waved 
to their supporters.

In addition to the conspiracy charge, Alcantara was found guilty of 
possessing the proceeds of crime, possession of marijuana and three 
possession of illegal weapons charges.

Roberts was also found guilty of trafficking cocaine, possession for 
the purpose of trafficking. Critch was also found guilty of 
possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the 
proceeds of crime and possession of marijuana.
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