Man jailed for mailing coke, meth in books

A man who concealed drugs in books and then attempted to mail the packages outside of Canada has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Cade Cook, 31, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawfully attempting to export illicit drugs and one count of possessing methamphetamine and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Court heard that in 2018, the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted multiple packages posted for delivery to destinations including Australia and India.

In one package, investigators found three books with 32 grams of cocaine concealed in the bindings. Cook was recorded on closed-circuit television submitting the package, which had his fingerprints inside.

Eight packages were intercepted, containing a total of 92 grams of methamphetamine and 119 grams of cocaine.

When police searched Cook's home, they found packaging and mailing materials, and $42,750 in cash. Police also seized 958 grams of meth and 221 grams of cocaine.

Provincial court Judge Reginald Harris concluded Cook held an “upper-level trusted position” whereby he would weigh, conceal and package the drugs.

Cook had a prior record of drug offences and at the time of his arrest was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for violating his parole.

In addition to the jail time, Cook will be on probation for three years. His conditions of probation include a period of curfew as well as a requirement that he do 80 hours of community service. He will also be banned from possessing firearms or restricted weapons for life.