Surrounded by family members, Chase Sinclair appeared in person Thursday morning for his sentencing hearing at Court of Queen's Bench in Prince Albert. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

‘I was humbled’: Prince Albert drug trafficker avoids further jail, commits to helping others

Jan 6, 2022 | 2:01 PM

A man involved in a massive drug trafficking operation in the Prince Albert region, told a courtroom he was truly humbled by his family’s support and explained he chose to pursue a career in social work, to help others who are struggling with addictions.

Chase Sinclair, 36, appeared Thursday morning at Court of Queen’s Bench in Prince Albert. He received a 42-day jail sentence and three years probation for a single charge of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

A total of nine people were charged in connection to the 2017 investigation.

According to a statement at the time from RCMP, the investigation began when police learned about a drug trafficking organization responsible for bringing large quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the region.

During July and August of the following year, officers executed search warrants at several homes in the Prince Albert area. Officers also seized four vehicles, weapons and a large amount of drugs, though specific details of the seizures were unavailable.

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The ring leader Jonathan Mah received a five-year prison sentence.

With respect to Sinclair’s role, he was found to be in possession of 16 oz. of cocaine, located in a box in his garage at Emma Lake. Defence lawyer Peter Abrametz Jr. explained Sinclair’s involvement in the operation was not motivated by profit, but rather by his drug addiction.

Acknowledging Sinclair had already spent 42 days in jail, Crown lawyer Tamara Rock said pursuing a further custodial sentence would make no sense given the good path Sinclair was currently on with his life, and the fact he had not breached any conditions since his arrest in 2018.

“I’m truly hopeful this sentence will provide Mr. Sinclair the opportunity to be completely rehabilitated fully back into society,” she said.

As part of his probationary term, Sinclair must complete 180 hours of community service and will be on a curfew for the first 18 months. The Crown had requested 250 hours but Abrametz argued successfully that Sinclair could still pay his debt to society with fewer hours, adding he was looking after four children and going to school.

“He’s a busy man,” he said.

Also noting the community’s current issues with drugs and crime, Abrametz said the solution starts in the home.

Comments from Sinclair

Fighting back tears, Sinclair said he was grateful for the arrest, and explained it “needed to happen” to help him turn his life around.

Sinclair also acknowledged the more than half a dozen family members in the courtroom and described how he had pushed many of them away when he was arrested, but it was through their continued support he was able to stay on a good path.

“I was humbled,” he said.

In addition to a desire to be a better father, Sinclair also explained how he chose to pursue a career in social work to help become a leader for others who may be struggling like he was.

“They are missing people like me”, he said.

In his closing remarks, Justice G.A. Meschishnick acknowledged the good path Sinclair was on and said if he can even turn just one life around, he can consider himself a success.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell