Close X
Saturday, October 12, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. Cocaine Wholesaler Who Led 'Double Life' Gets Four Years In Prison

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Mar, 2015 11:10 AM

    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A cocaine wholesaler who had $140,000 stuffed into a wall at his home as part of what RCMP called a gang-linked dial-a-dope operation has been handed a four-year prison sentence.

    Jean-Claude Auger had a middle-class upbringing and was a well-liked neighbour but he led a “double life" selling large amounts of cocaine to a drug-trafficking ring, said B.C. Supreme Court Justice Hope Hyslop.

    “Drugs were bound for the street and he knew this,” Hyslop said. “His motive was greed, with little regard to what this would do to others.”

    Auger pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

    When his four-year sentence was read in court, Auger’s girlfriend broke down in tears. He showed little emotion as he was away by a sheriff.

    Auger and seven other men were arrested in 2012, and police said they were part of the United Nations gang.

    Defence lawyer Chris Thompson argued for house arrest, saying his client made a remarkable effort to change his life.

    Auger spent $22,000 on counselling, including a video tell-all project with a local media outlet, complete with confessions available for viewing on the Internet.

    Hyslop commended Auger’s actions after his arrest, as well as efforts to re-establish himself as a personal trainer and martial-arts instructor.

    “Mr. Auger has come a long way in his life and I take that into consideration."

    But, she added, a message must be sent about drug dealing at his level.

    As part of his sentence, Auger must forfeit his Lexus, which he drove during his drug dealings. He will also be banned from owning firearms for 10 years.

    Five couriers in the operation are expected to plead guilty later this year.

    The Crown alleges two other men — Richard Crawford and Steven Currie — owned and managed the operation. Their trial is also scheduled to begin in the coming months.

    Charges include operating as part of a criminal organization.(Kamloops This Week)

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Coroner's inquest into suicide could peel back curtain on B.C. deportations

    Coroner's inquest into suicide could peel back curtain on B.C. deportations
    VANCOUVER - A coroner's inquest starting Monday into the death of a Mexican national who hanged herself inside a Vancouver airport holding cell offers a rare chance to examine the secretive deportation process encountered by many migrants, says an advocacy group with ties to Lucia Vega Jimenez's family.

    Coroner's inquest into suicide could peel back curtain on B.C. deportations

    Police, volunteers search for missing 2-year-old girl in rural southern Ontario

    Police, volunteers search for missing 2-year-old girl in rural southern Ontario
    OXFORD COUNTY, Ont. - A massive search is continuing this morning in a rural area of southwestern Ontario for a missing two-year-old girl.

    Police, volunteers search for missing 2-year-old girl in rural southern Ontario

    Judge tells jury that Magnotta has admitted to crimes in first-degree murder case

    Judge tells jury that Magnotta has admitted to crimes in first-degree murder case
    MONTREAL - The judge hearing Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial has told the jurors that the accused has admitted to the slaying of Chinese student Jun Lin.

    Judge tells jury that Magnotta has admitted to crimes in first-degree murder case

    Government nixed Labrador highway deal day before key leadership date: auditor

    Government nixed Labrador highway deal day before key leadership date: auditor
    ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Newfoundland and Labrador's auditor general says the provincial government cancelled a highway contract just before nominations closed in March for the Progressive Conservative leadership race.

    Government nixed Labrador highway deal day before key leadership date: auditor

    Sun Media to apologize to Justin Trudeau for Ezra Levant rant

    Sun Media to apologize to Justin Trudeau for Ezra Levant rant
    OTTAWA - Sun Media Corp. is set to apologize to Justin Trudeau later today for a rant against the Liberal leader by on-air personality Ezra Levant.

    Sun Media to apologize to Justin Trudeau for Ezra Levant rant

    BC Lions lose Andrew Harris for rest of regular season

    BC Lions lose Andrew Harris for rest of regular season
    VANCOUVER - B.C. Lions running back Andrew Harris will miss the rest of the CFL regular season with a dislocated left ankle.

    BC Lions lose Andrew Harris for rest of regular season