First sentence in coke case

The first sentence in a five-month Yorkton area cocaine operation by a consortium of law enforcement agencies was handed out in Yorkton court Monday.

Marcus Beauchamp pleaded guilty to simple possession of cocaine before Judge Patrick Koskie April 10. Beauchamp was caught up in a surveillance of area dope dealers that netted 21 people and resulted in 88 charges, mostly for trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime.

In Beauchamp's case, given the very small amount of cocaine involved (half a gram), and his relatively minor prior criminal record, prosecutor Shane Wagner recommended a fine of $500.

In passing sentence, Koskie warned the defendant that with cocaine he was "playing with fire" and would definitely do time if he continued to get caught with the drug.

He said given the Crown's submissions, he would accept the recommendation and imposed the fine.

Davi Estrada, the alleged ringleader of the Yorkton traffickers is scheduled to appear April 15.