ESTEVAN — An Estevan woman who was arrested in two separate drug busts last year pleaded guilty to charges Jan. 5 in Estevan Provincial Court.
Christina Strong, age 36, pleaded guilty to one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and possession of the proceeds of crime exceeding $5,000.
Other charges were stayed, including two counts of trafficking cocaine, and single counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession of property obtained by crime and violating the terms of release conditions. Crown prosecutor Kathryn Gilliss noted all of Strong’s charges were amalgamated into one date range for last year, resulting in the stays.
As per the terms of a joint submission, Strong received 365 days in custody, less remand time. She has been in custody for 84 days since her arrest in October 2025, so she received credit for 126 days in custody, which leaves her with 239 days remaining as of Jan. 5.
Strong also received a concurrent nine-month custodial sentence for the possession of proceeds charge, and 12 months of probation after her release from jail.
She has standard probation conditions, including a curfew of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the first six months of her release; not to possess or consume alcohol, drugs or controlled substances that have not been prescribed by a medical doctor; not to attend a place in which the main purpose is the sale of alcohol or cannabis; and to participate in an assessment and complete programming for addictions.
Gilliss told the court that Strong was charged as part of an ongoing and expanded investigation into cocaine trafficking in Estevan. The Estevan Police Service obtained a search warrant on July 10, 2025, for Strong’s apartment and a vehicle, Gilliss said.
During the search of the residence, Gilliss said the EPS seized a large Ziploc bag that contained packaging familiar to the EPS, and Gilliss added it was known to be used by a B.C. operation known as the B.C. Boys. Police also found empty cigarette packs that Gilliss said is consistent with dead-drop packaging or similar drug transactions.
Gilliss added he EPS seized $8,805 in cash in the residence and additional cash in the vehicle that brought the total to $9,011. Also in Strong’s vehicle, the EPS found drug paraphernalia, seven dime bags of crack cocaine and 14 dime bags of soft cocaine, which Gilliss said had an estimated street value of just over $2,000. She was released on conditions later that month.
“Police continued to receive, while she was on release, … indications and information that was suggesting she was continuing the trafficking behaviour while on her release conditions,” said Gilliss.
A traffic stop was conducted on Oct. 14, 2025, and Gilliss said officers then conducted a search of Strong's vehicle. They located three dime bags, one with hard cocaine and two with soft cocaine, along with cell phones and drug paraphernalia.
A search warrant for the residence was obtained. Gilliss said they located 34 baggies of soft cocaine and 20 baggies of hard cocaine were seized in the residence, along with $4,625 in stacks of cash, $1,300 in an envelope and a bundle with $240. They also found paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking, Gilliss said.
Another nine baggies of hard cocaine and nine more baggies of soft cocaine were found during a further search of the vehicle.
“Overall, in the two searches … over those two dates, just over $15,000 in cash was seized and 87.2 grams of cocaine,” said Gilliss.
A news release from the EPS listed the estimated the value of the cocaine for the second drug bust at $8,400.
Gilliss conceded the sentence is on the lower range for a number of reasons. Strong entered a guilty plea early in the process, saving court and officer resources, as well as significant court time. It also spared a trial.
“Otherwise, with the numbers in terms of the quantity of drugs and cash, this is a situation where the range … of the Court of Appeal, 18 months to four years, would have … been appropriate,” said Gilliss.
Strong also does not have a criminal record, although Gilliss noted Strong did continue to traffic cocaine while out on release conditions. The Crown also wants to ensure Strong has rehabilitative tools on the back end of the custodial period, Gilliss said, so Strong won’t be back before the court at a later date.
Defence attorney Tyson Talhan pointed out Strong is originally from Edmonton and came to Estevan in 2008.
“She did struggle with drug addiction for many years, however upon having children, that drug addiction, she was able to manage it and it was no longer a thing,” said Talhan.
A divorce two years ago was a difficult time for Strong, Talhan said, and Strong started using cocaine and other substances daily. He added Strong was trafficking to feed her own drug addiction.
Talhan said the sentence gives her a chance to rehabilitate and get back on her feet.
Judge Mitch Miller noted Strong has had the chance to reflect on her experiences and the damage done to the community. Miller noted that Strong’s use led to addiction and then trafficking.
“I just wonder if you thought about the effect your actions had on the people you sold drugs to, for example, how many of those people became addicts and are in the same boat you’re in now, and how many of those people have appeared in this court in front of me because of what you started?” the judge asked.
He agreed a time of reflection is an important part of Strong's rehabilitation, and he added the treatment is the most important part of Strong’s probation.
“It seems like you are focused now on a life of rehabilitation, and getting back to a pro-social life, and that’s going to be hard,” said Miller.
