Gun possession leads to jail term

Second weapons offence aggravates case, Crown says

An Edmonton drug dealer has received a lengthy prison term under minimum sentencing laws after twice being caught with prohibited firearms.

Abdullahi Yalahow, 28, was caught dealing crackcocaine on Feb. 7 when he sold $100 worth to an undercover officer near 107th Street and 106th Avenue, according to an agreed statement of facts.

“This poses a serious danger to the public and a significant period of incarceration is warranted.”

When police pulled Yalahow’s Nissan Pathfinder over a short time later, they found a Glock handgun and ammunition clip between his feet, Crown prosecutor Ashley Finlayson told court. Yalahow was released on strict bail conditions that put him under house arrest with a prohibition against owning any firearms.

In April, police went to his Jasper Avenue apartment to investigate an incident outside the Afro Café on 118th Avenue. With a search warrant, they found a loaded .40-calibre handgun beneath his kitchen sink.

Finlayson told court it was particularly aggravating that Yalahow armed himself even after the courts ordered him not to.

“This poses a serious danger to the public and a significant period of incarceration is warranted,” the prosecutor said.

Finlayson and defence lawyer Jake Chadi submitted a joint submission of eight years in prison, including a three-year sentence for the first possession and five years for the second.

“I have to impose these sentences,” provincial court Judge Larry Anderson told court. “They are the minimum under the Criminal Code.”

Yalahow pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a loaded prohibited firearm, two breaches of conditions and trafficking.

He will be banned from owning firearms for a decade after his release.