Absentee accused convicted for drugs

Dillon, 22, guilty of trafficking; police found him home, in bed, the last time

A Peachland man charged in a drug-trafficking case in which a party drug destined for West Kelowna from China was intercepted by police has been found guilty.

Ethan Louis Dillon, 22, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

On March 26, 2015, members of the Kelowna Drug Section received information about a 12.7-kilogram package destined for West Kelowna.

Laboratory analysis confirmed the unknown substance was ethylone, known as MDEA.

On April 1, 2015, two 19-yearold men and a 20-year-old man were arrested in connection to the drug trafficking case.

On March 27, 2017, Steven Robert Allen pleaded guilty to two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. On Sept. 8, 2017, he was sentenced to 18 months in jail.

Dillon’s trial was scheduled to begin March 26, but he did not show up for court.

Judge Lisa Wyatt issued a warrant for his arrest, and police officers found him in bed in his Peachland home.

He was taken to court in handcuffs and appeared before the judge in the afternoon.

Dillon claimed he thought the trial was starting the next day.

He is representing himself in the trial. Another warrant was issued for Dillon’s arrest March 27, when he again did not show up for court.

On March 29, Kelowna RCMP issued a missing person notice for Dillon, stating his family had not heard from him.

Crown prosecutor Clarke Burnett wrapped up his case that afternoon without Dillon.

Wednesday morning, Wyatt found Dillon guilty of both possession of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Again, Dillon was not present in court, and RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey confirmed he was still considered missing.

The trial was adjourned, but no date was set for sentencing.