A Winnipeg construction worker is headed to prison after admitting to trafficking drugs on behalf of the Hells Angels.
Kyle Andrew Oliferchuk, 31, pleaded guilty Wednesday to selling four ounces of poor quality cocaine to an undercover police agent last November. The drug was only 22 per cent pure and had been severely diluted, court was told.
The deal was arranged during a meeting at the Tim Hortons on Archibald Street and was captured on police surveillance happening at Charlee's Resteraunt on Stadacona Street, court was told. Oliferchuk was paid $3,200 in marked police bills in exchange for the drugs.
Oliferchuk was sentenced to three years behind bars, in addition to five months of pre-trial custody, under a joint-recommendation from Crown and defence lawyers.
Oliferchuk was one of 31 people arrested in December as part of a 13-month police investigation called "Project Divide" which targeted members and associates of the motorcycle gang. He is the sixth accused to plead guilty.
Crown attorney Chris Mainella told court earlier this week the Crown is prepared to recommend lenient sentences for those accused who wish to admit responsibility at an early stage.
Oliferchuk has a previous criminal history, including several breaches of court orders, but no direct ties to the Hells Angels. He was recruited by a friend — a former gang prospect — to be a courier in exchange for some easy money, court was told.
Defence lawyer Jay Prober said his client plans to make a fresh start when he is released on parole, including getting married to his girlfriend. Queen's Bench Chief Justice Marc Monnin warned Oliferchuk his sentences will only increase if he continues to be involved in criminal activity.
Construction worker jailed for drug deal
A Winnipeg construction worker is headed to prison after admitting to trafficking drugs on behalf of the Hells Angels.
Kyle Andrew Oliferchuk, 31, pleaded guilty Wednesday to selling four ounces of cocaine to an undercover police agent last November. The drug was only 22 per cent pure and had been severely diluted, court was told.
The deal was arranged during a meeting at the Tim Hortons on Archibald Street and was captured on police surveillance happening at Charlee's Restaurant on Stadacona Street, court was told. Oliferchuk was paid $3,200 in marked police bills in exchange for the drugs.
Oliferchuk was sentenced to three years behind bars, in addition to five months of pretrial custody, under a joint-recommendation from Crown and defence lawyers.
Oliferchuk was one of 31 people arrested in December as part of a 13-month police investigation called Project Divide, which targeted members and associates of the motorcycle gang. He is the sixth accused to plead guilty. Crown attorney Chris Mainella told court earlier this week the Crown is prepared to recommend lenient sentences for those accused who wish to admit responsibility at an early stage.
Oliferchuk has a previous criminal history, including several breaches of court orders, but no direct ties to the Hells Angels. He was recruited by a friend -- a former gang prospect -- to be a courier in exchange for some easy money, court was told.
Defence lawyer Jay Prober said his client plans to make a fresh start when he is released on parole, including getting married to his girlfriend. Queen's Bench Chief Justice Marc Monnin warned Oliferchuk his sentences will only increase if he continues to be involved in criminal activity.
Construction worker jailed for drug deal
A Winnipeg construction worker is headed to prison after admitting to trafficking drugs on behalf of the Hells Angels.
Kyle Andrew Oliferchuk, 31, pleaded guilty Wednesday to selling four ounces of cocaine to an undercover police agent last November. The drug was only 22 per cent pure and had been severely diluted, court was told.
The deal was arranged during a meeting at the Tim Hortons on Archibald Street and was captured on police surveillance happening at Charlee's Restaurant on Stadacona Street, court was told. Oliferchuk was paid $3,200 in marked police bills in exchange for the drugs.
Oliferchuk was sentenced to three years behind bars, in addition to five months of pretrial custody, under a joint-recommendation from Crown and defence lawyers.
Oliferchuk was one of 31 people arrested in December as part of a 13-month police investigation called Project Divide, which targeted members and associates of the motorcycle gang. He is the sixth accused to plead guilty. Crown attorney Chris Mainella told court earlier this week the Crown is prepared to recommend lenient sentences for those accused who wish to admit responsibility at an early stage.
Oliferchuk has a previous criminal history, including several breaches of court orders, but no direct ties to the Hells Angels. He was recruited by a friend -- a former gang prospect -- to be a courier in exchange for some easy money, court was told.
Defence lawyer Jay Prober said his client plans to make a fresh start when he is released on parole, including getting married to his girlfriend. Queen's Bench Chief Justice Marc Monnin warned Oliferchuk his sentences will only increase if he continues to be involved in criminal activity.
Drug offenders and dealers should not be in prison. What is the purpose? Prison has been proven not to deter, prevent or reduce crime. It actually increases recidivism when offenders are released. Drug offenders are not a risk to society and are not dangerous, therefore, incapacitation is not the goal. Obviously, rehab is not the goal because we all know prison programs lack funding and are not effective. So the goal must be revenge/punishment/retribution. This is the wrong goal to sentence someone for.
If we truly want to prevent and reduce crime, we need to address the underlying factors contributing to crime. This article made no mention of any mitigating factors for this man, which is biased. When non violent offenders are housed with violent offenders, prisons can be known as the schools of crime as they create more hardened criminals as drugs and gangs are rampant.
This man made a mistake. He was drawn in by the prospect of making money. His previous record is only for minor breaches. This should NOT warrant a prison sentence.
If this man has a drug addiction, I would sentence him to get drug treatment and also to learn about the impact drugs have on individuals. I would also say that he needs employment assistance and possibly education, both of which decrease the chance of re-offending. If I were the Judge, I would have sentenced him to a 2 year conditional sentence in the community under strict conditions, to have to associations with known gang members or drug dealers, to live with his girlfriend, curfew, drug treatment and impact programs, and to be working in the daytime. I would also have him pay a fine, which he could work off by doing community service work.
THIS ^^ is how we should properly teach and assist offenders to become productive members of society once again.
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