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. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart