Meth dealer gets 18 months jail

A 33-year-old Melville man will do time in jail for possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.

Jory Thomas Ridley pleaded guilty in Yorkton court April 14 to one count of possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking, one count of simple possession, and two counts of driving while impaired by a drug.

Judge Patrick Reis accepted a joint submission from the Crown and defence and imposed a sentence of 18 months incarceration on the main charge. Ridley also received a total of $1,200 in fines plus surcharges on the impaired driving and possession charges and a one-year driving prohibition following his release.

Federal prosecutor Shane Wagner told the court that, on April 10, an RCMP officer noted a car swerving over the centre line of Broadway Street and pulled it over. Ridley, the driver, showed signs of impairment, which the officer confirmed with a drug recognition evaluation (DRE) test. Ridley admitted to having used meth.

A search of the vehicle turned up 17.2 grams of crystal meth and $750 cash. The Crown estimated the street value of the drugs at $3,400.

Wagner cited a recent case, also of a Melville man, in which Judge Patrick Koskie imposed an 18-month prison term for trafficking In that case, the defendant, Lucius Kowaski, possessed significantly less of the drug (2.4 grams).

The prosecutor asked for forfeiture of the cash and drugs, a 10-year firearms prohibition and a DNA order, which Ries granted.

Ridley was already on bail at the time of his arrest April 10 on the simple possession charge, which was laid at the end of February. At his bail hearing, he denied having a drug problem.

Melville defence attorney Adam Crocker told the Court his client now admits to having a serious and lengthy addiction problem and is seeking treatment.

In passing sentence, Judge Reis encouraged Ridley to take his addictions programming seriously.