ESTEVAN — Two B.C. residents pleaded guilty to drug-related charges March 16 in Estevan, averting a trial that was expected to last the week in Court of King’s Bench.
Minhaaz Aryan Ali and Cristina McGillivray each pleaded guilty to one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. Another charge against each person will be stayed at the conclusion of sentencing, which is to happen at a later date.
Federal prosecutor Scott Moffat told the court that on Oct. 29, 2024, members of the Estevan Police Service (EPS) were conducting surveillance on a residence in the 1200-block of Third Street. He noted officers observed two people briefly enter and then exit a vehicle.
Later that night, he said a member of the EPS stopped the same vehicle under the Traffic Safety Act. When the officer asked the occupants, Ali and McGillivray, what they were doing that night in Estevan, Moffat said Ali replied he came with relatives in Regina and they were “sightseeing” in Estevan.
Moffat added the officer performed a check on Ali, who was the driver, and it showed Ali had been charged with drug trafficking in B.C.
Police dog Max searched the vehicle, Moffat said, and gave a positive indication for drugs on the front driver’s-side door, and Ali and McGillivray were arrested for possession of drugs. Police found C$1,308 and a cellular phone on Ali, and two cellular phones and multiple bank cards on McGillivray that did not belong to her.
In the truck, Moffat said officers found two boxes of sandwich bags, a golf club and a shovel. The two people were taken to the police station.
Police eventually determined where McGillivray and Ali were staying, and early on Oct. 30, Moffat said members obtained a searched warrant. Police found a black bag with 536.9 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine, including 163 grams of cocaine in 184 individual dime bags, and 373.9 grams of crack cocaine in more than 600 dime bags. Officers also located C$4,087 in the hotel room, for a total of $5,395 in cash.
According to a news release from the EPS after the incident, the estimated street value of the drugs was $80,000.
A case-management session is slated for March 25, at which time a sentencing date will be scheduled.
Ali and McGIllivray remain out of custody on conditions.
Justice Graeme Mitchell applauded Moffat, defence attorneys Logan Marchand, who represents Ali, and Bhavan Jaggi, who represents McGillivray, for their efforts and professionalism in reaching the agreement prior to the trial beginning.
