THUNDER BAY – The Crown attorney wants Marcel Breton, a man who had $1.2 million in cash buried in his backyard, to spend 10 years in jail for his role in a drug trafficking operation police discovered five years ago.
Both the Crown and defence made their sentencing recommendations Monday at the Thunder Bay Courthouse. Breton was convicted in July for possession of cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a prohibited weapon and laundering proceeds of crime.
The conviction follows Breton’s December 2009 arrest. Police searched his Mapleward Road home, which resulted in the seizure of 120 grams of cocaine, 50 ecstasy tablets, 454 grams of marijuana and two grams of cannabis resin. Along with the drugs, police also discovered $1.2 million in cash, the majority of which was found buried in the ground in a Tupperware container.
Crown attorney Vern Brewer recommended the 48-year-old be sentenced to 10 years in prison, minus the 32 months for time he had already served waiting for his trial.
Brewer said Breton has an extremely low likelihood of being rehabilitated and that he has neither admitted guilt nor expressed remorse. He also accused Breton of preying on the trust of those with whom he has close relationships, such as his mother.
He added that Breton’s only occupation has been that of a professional criminal.
“That’s what he is, that’s what he has done,” Brewer told the court.
The Crown attorney went through Breton’s lengthy criminal history, reminding the court of offences dating as far back as 1983. Past prison sentences have not made an impact, Brewer concluded.
Brewer also argued that the amount of cash, along with the purity of the seized cocaine, indicated Breton was operating a high level operation.
Breton, who defended himself for much of his trial, was represented by local lawyer Christopher Watkins at the hearing.
Watkins has requested five years less time already served plus credit for a previous house arrest, which would effectively release Breton on probation.
He argued that Breton has become a spiritual man following the arrest, calling the leader of a local Jehovah’s Witnesses group to testify on his behalf.
Justice Terrence Platana is expected to render a sentence on Nov. 28.
