A St. Albert drug dealer could face jail time for trafficking cocaine to an undercover police officer.
Michael Royal Dickson pleaded guilty in St. Albert Provincial Court Monday to trafficking cocaine and obstructing police, charges that arose from an RCMP dial-a-dope operation.
Federal Crown prosecutor Kevin Short told the court that Dickson sold an undercover police officer soft cocaine on two occasions in July 2011.
The officer purchased one gram of the drug from Dickson, who called himself “Luke,” in the Chuck E. Cheese’s parking lot at 137 Avenue and St. Albert Trail for $60. The next day, he doubled his order for $110.
Dickson was under police surveillance during that time and was observed conducting other drug deals to unknown persons, Short said.
“This is not a crime of opportunity, this is a crime of planning,” Short said. “This is a crime of financial gain.”
When a marked cruiser pulled over Dickson’s 2002 Ford Explorer on July 11, 2011, Short said things went “a little sideways” when Dickson began swallowing bags of the drug.
The arresting officer called an ambulance after determining the dealer likely swallowed the drug, which can be fatal. Dickson denied the allegation.
The RCMP took him back to the detachment to perform a strip search, where they found 10 spitballs hidden in his underwear.
Roughly one hour after being apprehended, Dickson confessed to police that he swallowed a number of spitballs.
“The light went on that his life was at risk,” Short said.
In total, Dickson was found in possession of 19 spitballs or 13-14 grams of cocaine, two cellphones, two knives, a baseball bat and $491 cash.
Short is seeking a 30-month jail sentence, while defence lawyer George Isshak is seeking a two-year conditional sentence order.
Short said cocaine presents significant harm to the community and a lesser sentence “undermines the grave dangers and concerns.”
“(His intent was) to destroy evidence to get away with it,” Short said. “He’s an energetic trafficker who’s committed to making money.”
Isshak said Dickson has no criminal record and has demonstrated good behaviour since the offence date.
“He’s made efforts to cut ties with the drug world,” Isshak said. “He’s well aware of the consequences of his acts.”
Dickson told the court that he’s thought about his actions and realizes the far-reaching effects of drug trafficking.
Short withdrew three additional charges for possession of stolen property, possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a controlled substance.
Dickson is to be sentenced Nov. 26 in St. Albert Provincial Court.
