Man sentenced to three years in prison

Man sold drugs to undercover police officer

Selling drugs to an undercover police officer has netted a 52-year-old man a stint in a federal penitentiary. Jalil Ali Bahrami was sentenced last week to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to several counts of drug-related offences, including trafficking.

On several occasions last July an officer arranged to meet Bahrami for a drug transaction, and each time Bahrami sold him under a gram of cocaine for $40-$60.

Three months later Bahrami was investigated for breaching release conditions and police caught him with bags of methamphetamine.

As police continued their drug investigation, they searched a northside home earlier this month and found indications of drug trafficking in other drugs, as well, including fentanyl and oxycontin. Police seized 23 fentanyl pills, scales and packaging, all indicating a drug trafficking operation.

Lethbridge lawyer Vincent Guinan agreed with the Crown’s recommendation for a three-year sentence. He noted half of the 19 charges his client originally faced were withdrawn, and he suggested the Crown would have faced some challenges had the matter gone to trial.

Guinan explained Bahrami suffered a debilitating injury during a car accident in 2005, and he was prescribed powerful medication to deal with the pain.

“That developed into an addiction,” Guinan said. “The car accident was really the turning point for him.”

Bahrami used the same drugs he sold, and he sold them to support his addiction, Guinan added.

Judge J. Maher also agreed with the recommended three-year prison sentence, but said he hoped Bahrami would be able to lead a productive life in the future.

“Good luck with your addictions, Mr. Bahrami,” Maher said.

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