Pubdate: Thu, 21 Sep 2006
Source: Moose Jaw Times-Herald (CN SN)
Copyright: 2006 The Moose Jaw Times-Herald Group Inc.
Contact: (306) 692-2101
Website: http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2154
Author: Suzanne Boyer
Note: No email LTEs accepted - use fax or mail

SWIFT JUSTICE FOR MAN NABBED WITH 10 KG OF POT

A B.C. man decided he didn't want to wait around long and agreed to a 
three-year sentence for drug trafficking just 24 hours after being arrested.

Martin Joseph Brazeau of Meadow Creek, B.C., was stopped Tuesday by 
Moose Jaw RCMP for a potential traffic violation around 11 a.m. The 
34-year-old was driving a Subaru car eastbound on the Trans-Canada highway.

"The accused was observed travelling east and rapidly slowing down," 
said federal prosecutor Suzanne Young when Brazeau appeared in Moose 
Jaw Provincial court Wednesday.

"The officer observed movement in the back seat of the car, which he 
believed to be an unrestrained passenger."

Brazeau's car was stopped and what the officer believed was an 
unbuckled passenger turned out to be a large dog.

As he spoke with Brazeau, the officer smelled a strong odour of raw 
marijuana, Young explained. Brazeau admitted to having the pot in the car.

Police then discovered more than 10 kilograms of marijuana packed in 
duffle bags in the trunk of the car and Brazeau was charged with 
possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The police also seized $1,100 from the car and the Moose Jaw Humane 
Society was called to take the dog away.

Brazeau was still in police custody when he appeared in provincial 
court Wednesday morning. He did not have a lawyer, saying he couldn't 
afford the $2,500 it would cost him for the lawyer he consulted. He 
also said he couldn't afford the $20,000 needed for a bail deposit.

He then told the judge he wanted to plead guilty.

"I don't want to put my family to the street, so I just want to do my 
time," he said.

When asked by Judge Douglas Kovatch if he was certain he didn't want 
a lawyer, Brazeau replied, "I have a family back home and I know I 
done the crime, so I want it done. I hope it will make things better 
in the future."

Young explained that she and Brazeau had reached a consensus on a 
sentence for the crime.

"We agreed that given the circumstances of the offence and his 
criminal record alone, a period of three years incarceration is 
appropriate," Young said.

Kovatch asked Brazeau if he agreed that three years would be a proper sentence.

"I thought it was decent. It was OK," he said.

Kovatch agreed that a three-year prison term would fall within the 
proper range of punishment for the offence and Brazeau received his sentence.
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