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Expert opinions delay sentencing for 2C-B dealer

Dec 8, 2017 | 4:00 PM

The sentencing of a young man guilty of trafficking the uncommon party drug 2C-B, was delayed this afternoon so the Crown’s medical experts could make sure all of the court’s information on the drug is accurate.

The drug first turned up in the area Feb. 20 of last year, when paramedics were called to a Prince Albert residence where six people were suffering drug overdose symptoms. All six were taken to hospital, and the following day officers from Prince Albert’s Integrated Street Enforcement Team raided a residence on 11th St. E. Police seized a quantity of unknown substances, including 2C-B, which Prince Albert police had never encountered before.

During the raid police arrested 19-year-old Douglas Jean Neufeld, who was charged with six counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, trafficking dimethoxybenzeneethanamine (the legal name for 2C-B), and possession of the proceeds of crime.

In July, Neufeld pleaded guilty to the trafficking charges and possessing the proceeds of crime. According to his lawyer, the Crown chose not to pursue the criminal negligence charges following Neufeld’s guilty pleas.

Crown Prosecutor Norma Buydens said the case is a difficult one, because the drug has never been seized in the city before and as a result local authorities have minimal experience with it. The delay was necessary because the defence brought forward an expert report on the drug, she said, which must be vetted by their own experts to ensure all of the information is accurate.

Buydens said it is still too soon to say what sentence the Crown will seek in the case.

Defence lawyer Peter Abrametz Jr. said the Crown’s request was a legitimate one, and agreed to delay the sentencing. Neufeld, who is not in custody and does not have a criminal record, will return to court Jan. 30 to receive his sentence.

In a previous interview with paNOW, medical health officer Dr. Khami Chokani said 2C-B causes intense visual hallucinations, making it popular on the party scene. In addition to the desired effects, however, Chokani warned the drug also elevates blood pressure, body temperature, breathing and heart rates. An overdose can lead to seizure or death, he added.

“2C-B is a nasty drug,” Chokani said.

 

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews