Judge hammers fentanyl trafficker with 11 years

Tougher sentence to impart a message of ‘deterrence and denunciation’

KITCHENER — An 11-year prison sentence handed out on Friday to a fentanyl dealer — the stiffest fentanyl punishment ever in Waterloo Region — sends a strong message to people who “play with fire,” a federal prosecutor says.

“I think the judge’s decision sets a precedent and sets the bar higher for future dealers in fentanyl and hopefully sets the foundation for a ‘seller beware’ in this community and across Canada,” Kathleen Nolan said outside the courtroom.

“It sends a strong message to fentanyl dealers and hopefully it deters others from willingly engaging in this activity. It’s a decision and when you make that decision, you play with fire.”

Erin Vezina, 36, of Kitchener got 11 years for possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking and another year for possession of a firearm while prohibited.

Vezina was arrested in Kitchener on Jan. 12 while riding an ebike and carrying a loaded handgun and a mixture of powdered fentanyl, heroin and a cutting agent. He also had methamphetamine, more than $9,000 in cash, a digital scale and four cellphones.

At his Courtland Avenue residence, police found more of the fentanyl/heroin mixture, meth, a sawed-off shotgun, shotgun shells, three replica guns, a bow and arrows, multiple knives and body armour.

The total weight of the fentanyl/heroin mixture was 204 grams, worth as much as $61,000. At the time

of Vezina’s arrest, police said it was Waterloo Region’s largest fentanyl bust. It was eclipsed two weeks ago when police seized 1.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl in a Kitchener raid.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that kills hundreds of Canadians each year.

In handing out the sentence, Justice Melanie Sopinka noted the dramatic rise in fentanyl use here. Waterloo Region now has the second most suspected fentanyl seizures in Ontario. Only Toronto has more.

In 2016, 38 deaths in the region were blamed on opioids. At the end of September, there were 45 already for 2017. Fentanyl is the No. 1 opioid seized by Waterloo Regional Police.

“The case law provided by both the Crown and defence counsel recognizes that the enormity of the fentanyl crisis justifies a significant increase in the sentencing range applicable to street-level dealing in fentanyl,” the judge said.

“To strike at the root of the crisis, sentencing must be guided primarily by the principles of deterrence and denunciation to make abundantly clear that our community will not tolerate the illegal distribution of this insidious drug.”

Sgt. Ben Handfield of the Waterloo Regional Police testified at the sentencing hearing that he was taken to hospital by ambulance after falling ill while driving in a police van with a locked tool box seized from Vezina.

The box contained a mixture of fentanyl and heroin powder. Handfield spent four hours in hospital.

The prosecution alleged he was exposed to fentanyl, which was in sealed packaging inside sealed plastic bags inside the tool box.

The judge said she could not conclude the officer was exposed to the drug.

“It is clear that Sgt. Handfield experienced medical distress and the incident was extremely difficult for both him and his family simply not knowing to what he was exposed,” Sopinka said.

“It highlights the danger in our community of the prevalence of powdered drugs and the extreme and unknown risks taken by police officers every day as they undertake their duties to protect the community.”

This is the second time Vezina has been sent to the penitentiary.

He got 30 months in 2013 for possession of meth for the purpose of trafficking.

When Vezina was arrested on the latest charges, he was bound by two weapons prohibition orders.

He pleaded guilty to nine charges, including possession of fentanyl and meth for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a firearm while prohibited and possession of a concealed weapon.

Nolan, the prosecutor, had sought a total sentence of 15 to 16 years in prison. Defence lawyer Ryan Heighton asked for eight to 10 years.

Vezina got credit for pleading guilty and cooperating with police.

He warned officers of the loaded handgun and told them the locked box might contain fentanyl.

With enhanced credit for pretrial custody, Vezina has another 10 years and nine months to serve on the 12-year sentence.

“This definitely sets the new high water mark for significant fentanyl trafficking, but given all of the aggravating features, including the presence of the firearms, it is certainly a fit sentence,” Heighton said in an email.

“It certainly takes into consideration the vast proliferation of the opioid crisis and the effect that it has had on our community.”