Cary Power, 51, was sentenced to two years and a day in a federal penitentiary for trafficking cocaine, possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possessing property obtained by crime.
Power will also serve six months concurrently with his time in prison for charges relating to possession of property obtained by crime. He will also serve three concurrent months for his possession of cocaine charges, and 30 days concurrent for breaching his restrictions upon release. Power also received an $800 victim fine surcharge. In addition, he received a mandatory firearms prohibition for life and another 10-year firearm prohibition that included crossbows and explosive devices.
Power appeared in Estevan provincial court on Nov. 3 where presiding judge Lane Weigers delivered the jointly submitted sentence.
Power was arrested in Estevan on Sept. 8 along with David Gatis, 48, after police received information that a vehicle within the city limits was potentially transporting a large supply of cocaine. Upon being pulled over by the police for speeding on King Street, the vehicle was searched. Over a pound of cocaine was seized, along with $800 in cash and a couple of cell phones. A container full of baking soda was also found, which the Crown said was likely used to create fake cocaine that ultimately helped the accused sell incorrect amounts. Power was also in possession of drug paraphernalia that was consistent with cocaine use.
In total, the street value of the cocaine amounted to approximately $65,000.
The two men were taken into custody that day. Power was released on an undertaking on Sept. 9. Gatis appeared in Estevan provincial court for a bail verification hearing and was released on a $2,000 non-cash recognizance on Sept. 22.
On Sept. 30, Estevan police received information regarding Power, who was breaching his release conditions. When police arrived at his home, they discovered Power had possession of cocaine. Police also found cocaine on a table next to an electronic scale and nearly $600 in cash. The cocaine was valued at approximately $300.
Power was put back into custody and had been in remand ever since.
The Crown said this was a very large amount of drugs that luckily didn’t make it far into the community.
“Mr. Power has stepped up to the plate and entered relatively early guilty pleas,” the Crown said, referring to Power’s guilty pleas on cocaine possession and possession of currency under $5,000. Other mitigating factors included a dated criminal record.
The defense noted that Power, who is also on disability, has an addiction to cocaine and was low on money on a consistent basis. Power was apparently unaware of the vehicle’s contents when he was asked to drive with Gatis.
“It was more or less, willful blindness,” the defense said.
Power’s slip-up after his initial release came as a result of running low on money, and in need of a “quick buck,” he decided to get involved with the drug trade once more.
The defense said he regrets his decision.
Judge Weigers said he was confident in the jointly submitted sentence, which was put forth by a “council that has experience in matters such as this.”
Gatis also appeared in court for charges identical to Power’s. His matters were adjourned to Dec. 15.
