One year for coke trafficking

One more case in an ongoing drug trafficking saga has wrapped up with a one-year prison sentence.

On January 9, Thomas Stevenson pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking cocaine at Court of Queen’s Bench in Yorkton. The Crown issued stays of proceedings on several other charges including possession of the proceeds of crime and breaches of an undertaking. One year was the mandatory minimum for Stevenson, who has a previous trafficking conviction from 2009.

The case relates to a late 2012, early 2013 multi-agency sting called Operation Fanalyst that resulted in 20 arrests and one warrant issued that is still outstanding.

Stevenson’s sentence brings to 18 out of 21 the number of cases that have been concluded so far.

Remaining to be tried is Davi Estrada, the alleged main player in the busts, whose pre-trial is scheduled to start January 27 at Court of Queen’s Bench.

Also awaiting pretrial is Alisha Pillay, scheduled for April 21.

Three people remain at large. Adam McKay was never caught, but still faces two counts of trafficking and two counts of possession of proceeds.

Byron Berens was scheduled for trial November 6, but failed to show.

And, Tlell Eipert escaped lawful custody while on a day pass from her nine-month prison sentence.

The Crown’s progress on these files has run the gamut from having to withdraw charges to acquittals to significant prison terms.