A 62-year-old North Bedeque man will spend the next two years in prison on numerous drug trafficking charges.
John Sydney Hambly pleaded guilty to two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of oxycodone, possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, possession of unstamped tobacco, failure to appear in court and resisting arrest.
The Prince County Joint Forces Operation (JFO) unit executed two search warrants on Hambly’s home, once in May and once in September.
Officers seized over 100 grams of cocaine, 670 grams of cannabis, 51 methamphetamine pills, 200 unstamped cigarettes, six cell phones, five digital scales, packaging materials and $3,975 in cash.
A joint sentencing recommendation of 2.5 years in prison was made by defence attorney Jim O’Neill, provincial Crown attorney Chris White and federal Crown attorney Will Cann and was presented in a defence brief submitted to Judge Krista MacKay.
The brief said Hambly has “significant virtures,” the sentencing brief included several positive character references from friends and family.
“However, good people can do bad things,” said the brief.
With 207 days’ credit for time served, Hambly will spend 731 days, or two years plus one day, in federal prison. He also racked up $1,275.20 in fines under the federal Excise Act 2001 and the provincial Tobacco Tax Act.
Hambly must submit a DNA sample to the national DNA databank and will be under a weapons ban for life. All of the items and drugs seized were forfeited to police and will be destroyed.
The Prince District JFO Drug Unit is comprised of members of the RCMP, Summerside Police Services and Kensington Police Services.
