Fentanyl dealer gets 10 years for possessing up to $2 million in drugs

A Saskatoon man received a 10-year prison sentence for possessing as much as $2 million worth of drugs including fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

The total estimated street value of the drugs seized from Wayne Ngai’s stash apartment on Third Avenue South and his home in the Rosewood neighbourhood ranged from $662,128 at the low end to $2.25 million at the high end, the federal Crown indicated at Ngai’s provincial court sentencing hearing last month.

Ngai, 30, pleaded guilty to possessing 20.6 kilograms of meth, 2.69 kilograms of cocaine, 4,453 fentanyl pills and 6.8 kilograms of cannabis, all for the purpose of trafficking. Police also seized a cocaine press and more than $400,000 in cash.

“I must say, personally I have not dealt with a sentencing with this quantity of money and drugs involved,” Judge Marilyn Gray said before accepting a joint submission from the Crown and defence.

If sold by the ounce, the more than 200,000 “doses” of meth would be valued between $400,000 and $664,000 — or up to $1.65 million at the gram level, court heard.

Prosecutor Stephen Jordan said the 10-year sentence reflects Ngai’s role as a high-level supplier.

Police had been watching Ngai for two months and arrested him on May 31, 2018 after he met with a man outside his stash apartment. It was the first time police saw their target bring anyone inside the building, Jordan said.

Drugs and money were found on the man who emerged. It led to a search of Ngai’s vehicle, apartment and home in the 600 block of Gillies Way where he lived with his parents, who also face charges. Their property is now subject to forfeiture, court heard.

Ngai is remorseful, embarrassed and eager to take addictions programming while in prison, defence lawyer Chris Lavier told court. He said his client graduated from high school in Saskatoon, joined the navy reserve and briefly attended university before becoming addicted to cocaine.

The case law is clear that sentences for fentanyl trafficking keep going up, Lavier said, noting the joint submission is within the range, especially considering Ngai’s “modest” prior record.

“It reflects the denunciation that the courts and people on the street have for people who distribute drugs like fentanyl,” Gray said.

“As the deaths increase, the sentences increase.”

bmcadam@postmedia.com

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