B.C. man gets life sentence in Philippines for drug trafficking
A high-profile B.C. gangster has been sentenced to life in prison in the Philippines for his involvement in an international drug-trafficking ring.
Independent Soldier James Riach, part of the Wolf Pack gang alliance, got the news in a Manila courtroom Wednesday, along with his Canadian co-accused, Ali Shirazi.
Judge Selma Alaras issued an 11-page ruling, saying both Riach and Shirazi possessed more than $2.5 million worth of ecstasy and shabu — a local pill that contains methamphetamine and caffeine.
The Canadians were also ordered to pay a $12,000 fine.
The Philippines National Bureau of Investigation arrested Riach and Shirazi at their rented Manila condo in January 2014. They had been in the country for about three months.
Also arrested at another apartment and charged that day was Riach’s B.C. associate, Barry Espadilla. But Espadilla was released 18 months later after an appeals court judge accepted his lawyer’s argument that police lied to get search warrants in the case. He has returned to Canada.
Riach had been out on bail in the Philippines — even getting married a couple of years ago — before being taken into custody again this week.
B.C.’s anti-gang Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit got news of the guilty verdict and sentence shortly after it happened, Sgt. Brenda Winpenny said Wednesday.
“While we cannot speak to the court decisions in another country, there is no doubt that the life sentence that was handed down is significant and will undoubtedly send a message to people from B.C. and Canada, that drug trafficking in other countries may, if you’re convicted, come with a serious penalty, including imprisonment for life,” Winpenny said.
Global Affairs Canada official Philip Hannan said he couldn’t comment on whether any consular services have been given to the Canadians because he had not yet had the chance to liaise with “mission staff.”
According to the Canadian government’s website, there is no Offender Transfer Treaty between Canada and the Philippines. When such treaties exist, Canadians imprisoned abroad can apply to serve all or part of their sentence in Canada closer to their families.
Riach’s friend Chris Seymour said he plans to campaign to get the B.C. man returned to Canada.
“I sure hope that the government will step in now and do something for him. He didn’t run on his bail or anything. This is not right and would never have stood up in any kind of (Canadian) court,” Seymour said Wednesday.
Riach, 36, was convicted in Canada in 2010 of possession and careless storage of a loaded .45-calibre semi-automatic Glock pistol found in is luxury Yaletown condo.
But he was acquitted of more serious gun charges after an arsenal of weapons was found in the apartment.