Refugee sentenced to nearly 11 years for smuggling heroin

Smuggling nearly $2 million worth of heroin into Canada has landed a Tanzanian refugee living in Toronto a 10-year, seven-month sentence.

In sentencing Abdulhamid Hamad on Friday, Calgary Court of Queen’s Bench Judge Sandra Hunt McDonald said a significant sentence was needed to deter others from similar activity.

Hamad was arrested at Calgary International Airport on April 24, 2013, following a flight from Johannesburg, South Africa.

“In this case, the objectives of denunciation and deterrence are important, as is rehabilitation,” Hunt McDonald said in her written ruling. “The sentence must be severe enough to discourage others from succumbing to the temptation of monetary rewards involved in importing illegal drugs.

“Furthermore, the sentence must also be severe enough to demonstrate society’s condemnation of Mr. Hamad’s conduct.”

But Hunt McDonald said there were mitigating circumstances that justified a sentence less than the 15 years sought by Crown prosecutor Max Kruger.

The judge noted Hamad had to relocate to Calgary and live under house arrest at his cousin’s home and then abide by a curfew after his bail was altered for four years awaiting trial.

“He states this fact has had a significant impact upon him, on his children living in Ontario, and the life he has had to live while he is here in Calgary.”

Hamad travelled to Johannesburg from Toronto six day before his arrest for the purpose of visiting relatives.

But on the day of his scheduled return, he bought a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Calgary.

His luggage was searched by customs officials who found 12 kilograms of 24 per cent pure heroin in his possession.

The drugs, if sold on the street at the gram level, had a value of up to $1.92 million.