A picture taken of Vern Ross entering Prince Albert Court of King's Bench on Tuesday. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

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Opioid trafficking operation results in 2.5 year prison sentence

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A drug bust in Prince Albert’s midtown area, involving over $40,000 worth of drugs, has resulted in a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence.

At the conclusion of a trial last Spring, 63-year-old Vern Ross was found guilty of possession of hydromorphone for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime exceeding $5,000.

The sentencing hearing was initiated last month but concluded on Tuesday at the Court of King’s Bench.

The background

The police investigation dates back to Sept. 2019, and Ross was one of two men charged.

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Over 1,800 hydromorphone and dilaudid pills were found at the residence. Police also seized $9,000 in cash.

During the trial, it was learned that Ross was selling hydromorphone pills he himself had been prescribed by his doctor. What was involved in this case were 20 bottles, representing 20 separate trips to the pharmacy by Ross and the people who were helping him.

“That’s a corruption of the medical system,” Crown Prosecutor Daniel Arnot said during his sentencing submissions, adding hydromorphone is a very addictive drug and can be deadly if the wrong dose is given.

While the Crown was seeking a sentence of 2.5 years, defence lawyer Peter Abrametz Jr, suggested a community-based sentence would be more appropriate given Ross’s age, poor health, and the fact his 18-year-old daughter is dependent on him for care.

Typically the range for sentencing for a charge of this nature, as established by the Court of Appeal, is between 18 months and four years.

“What I see is a man with a long list of health problems being incarcerated when he doesn’t pose a risk to the community,” Abrametz said.

Abrametz also noted Ross had started taking the drugs, following a fall roughly 25 years ago from a scaffolding. He was prescribed roughly 3,600 pills a year to help ease his pain.

Reading from his written decision, Justice Meschishnick accepted the Crown’s recommendation and said the scheme was motivated by profit and was not influenced by addiction.

“His lack of remorse and acceptance of responsibility stands in the way of a restorative sentence,” he said

Meschishnick added Ross has shown no understanding of the social consequences of his actions or has shown any plans to cut ties with any of his former associates.

At the conclusion of sentencing a special request from defence council was granted, to allow Ross a few extra days to get his affairs in order.

“Oh yeah, I’m not gonna run away. You’ve got my word,” Ross told Justice Meschishnick.

Bryan Kunkel was also charged after the initial search of the home, but the Crown stayed his charges.

Typically a number of factors may play into the decision for a stay of proceedings, including the likelihood of a conviction being reached.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell