ESTEVAN — An Estevan man has been sentenced to 18 months in custody for possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.
Rylan Strudwick pleaded guilty to the charge Oct. 20 in Estevan Provincial Court and received his sentence three days later in Weyburn Provincial Court. Two other charges – trafficking cocaine and possession of the proceeds of crime exceeding $5,000 – were stayed.
The Crown had been seeking a custodial sentence of 18-24 months, while Strudwick’s defence attorney Makenzie Bauer was calling for a conditional sentence order of two years less a day.
“This matter has taken quite some time and a lot of negotiating between parties, however, we are unable to come to an agreement for sentencing,” said Bauer on Oct. 20, adding the two sides agreed on the pleas.
According to an Estevan Police Service news release, a drug trafficking investigation resulted in a search warrant being authorized under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that was executed Jan. 14. The EPS said investigators seized cocaine with a street value of $8,000.
Federal Crown prosecutor Kathryn Gilliss noted the charges stemmed from an Estevan police Service investigation that spanned 2024 and extended into this year. Strudwick’s trafficking started in March of last year.
“Police conducted surveillance on key individuals, which included Mr. Strudwick, throughout this period. During this investigation, they noticed several individuals completing short-duration meets throughout the entry of Mr. Strudwick’s apartment building and at the rear of the apartment,” said Gilliss.
On Nov. 8, 2024, Gillis noted there was direct observation by an officer of Strudwick placing items in a green garbage bin in an alley behind a business on Souris Avenue. She added the officer retrieved the item after Strudwick left and found a box of smokes with three dime bags, all containing crack cocaine.
“Police essentially seized the materials at that time and continued observation. Police further observed an individual attending a short while after and attempting to retrieve those drugs in what we would call a dead-drop format," said Gilliss.
Strudwick was arrested Jan. 14 while walking from his residence and was searched, Gilliss said. A search warrant was also obtained for his residence and vehicle. She noted police located dime bags with white residue inside, 83 grams of cocaine, with both hard and soft forms of the drug, plus pills, ammunition, two digital scales and black sealable bags.
Two cell phones were seized that she said have communications related to the drug trade.
Gilliss noted that at one time Strudwick identified himself as a long-time user, and when judge Murray Hinds asked if Strudwick was a low-level drug dealer, Gilliss agreed.
She also said Strudwick found himself to be part of a “sophisticated group” that has created a number of different ways in which drugs can be distributed to the community. There was also a commercial element to his efforts.
Bauer noted Strudwick is 29 years old and has had various jobs, including in the oilpatch and agriculture. Bauer added he has been focusing on his sobriety since his arrest, and his family has helped him get back on track.
“He has been completely off drugs since his arrest and continues to maintain sobriety. Nobody told him to quit drugs. He, on his own quit drugs, and realizes the effect it has had on his life,” said Bauer.
Strudwick’s attorney urged Hinds to factor in Strudwick’s guilty plea, saving court resources. While nobody else was charged at the same time as Strudwick, Bauer pointed out other people were connected to what she described as a “dial-a-dope operation”, and most have received conditional sentence orders.
“I don’t believe that my client would have gotten into this situation if not for the addiction to cocaine and people that he was around,” said Bauer.
She believed the CSO was consistent with the principles and purposes of sentencing, and it wouldn’t endanger the community.
The matter was adjourned to Oct. 23 so that both sides could gather additional information on sentences for the people in connected cases whose matters have been resolved.
In handing down the sentence, Hinds urged Strudwick to remain sober, which Hinds recognizes will be difficult, and the judge added Strudwick might have to get some counselling.
“I’m glad that you’ve been maintaining your sobriety since your offence,” said Hinds.
He added Strudwick seems to have the love and support of many people, and urged him to stay sober for himself.
But he ultimately ruled that a custody sentence was needed.
