Pubdate: Sat, 21 Oct 2006
Source: Coast Reporter (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Coast Reporter
Contact:  http://www.coastreporter.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/580
Author: Ian Jacques, Editor

FOUR MONTH JAIL TERM ISSUED FOR FIRST OFFENCE

Supreme Court

A 55-year-old Gibsons woman was handed down a four-month jail 
sentence recently for her part in a marijuana grow operation.

Jacqueline Brown pleaded guilty to the charge of production of a 
controlled substance and was given the jail sentence March 16 in B.C. 
Supreme Court in Vancouver.

Sunshine Coast RCMP released the information this week and say they 
see the sentence as a change from the way courts in the past have 
dealt with drug cases.

"This jail term was ordered despite the fact that Brown had 
absolutely no criminal record," said Sgt. Gerry Webb.

"The Supreme Court Judge in the case explained that in the past 
courts have attempted to deal with the issue of marijuana grow 
operations by way of fines, but they have come to realize the 
monetary gains from marijuana grow operations are too great for a 
fine to have any deterrent effect. As a result, the courts have 
realized a jail term may be a more appropriate and effective 
sentence, even in first offences."

On March 11, 2004, RCMP conducted a search warrant on Brown's home in 
Gibsons. A marijuana grow operation was located. Police found less 
than 200 plants.

Webb said he sees this recent sentence as "a shift in the pendulum."

"This is a positive outcome as far as we're concerned," said Webb. 
"It shows that maybe the courts are finally seeing that fines are not 
the answer when it comes to drug cases. It sends a clear message. If 
you're going to deal drugs and start these kinds of illegal 
operations, you better be prepared to go to jail."
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