Jason Bicknell, 34, admitted to being a cross-country drug mule after being caught in Headingley with nearly $1 million worth of marijuana stuffed inside his truck.
He was given a two-year-less-a-day conditional jail sentence that will allow him to continue living on the west coast under strict conditions.
Crown attorney Erin Magas said Bicknell was headed to Ontario with the pot but attracted the attention of police by going 115 km-h in a 70-km-h zone on the Trans-Canada Highway.
The October 2004 spot-check ended when a police drug dog named "Jasmine" was brought in to inspect his vehicle. Police obtained a warrant and found the drugs inside.
Defence lawyer Sheldon Pinx said his client was just doing a favour for a friend and had no idea of the large quantity of drugs he was carrying.
Bicknell thanked the Crown for agreeing to the conditional sentence as part of a plea bargain, as these types of offences normally carry penitentiary terms.
Pinx and Magas told court there could have been issues at trial regarding the grounds police had to search the vehicle.
Bicknell's conditions include a 24-hour daily curfew, with exceptions that will allow him to continue working on movie shoots and with his outdoor adventure company.
He must also forfeit the van police seized and more than $6,000 cash found inside. Bicknell is also required to perform 150 hours of community service work and abstain from alcohol for the duration of his sentence.
Bicknell has been free on bail since his arrest and recently lost both his parents in separate incidents, court was told. He also married a Brazilian woman who hasn't been able to come to Canada yet and recently got hit with a $128,000 assessment by Revenue Canada that may force him to seek bankruptcy, said Pinx.
Jason Bicknell
This is jason bicknell from washington. He was extradited last week to the U.S.A. where he faces mort charges in connection.
ReplyDeletehow is the appeal going ?
ReplyDeleteIt was an illegle search and Mr.Bicknell has an outstanding law suit with the city of Winnipeg for 1.2 million for the loss of his eye caused be the mallitous use of the drug dog.
I believe this case is under appeal.
ReplyDeleteAs well as the appeal, Mr.Bicknell has a law suit against The Winnipeg Police Service for 1.2 million $ for the loss of his right eye due to excessive force used by the police drug dog during his arrest.