A Hells Angels insider pleaded guilty on Tuesday to conspiracy to traffic 5 kilograms of cocaine. He would have been given a 5-year sentence, but walked free as he had already served the equivalent in pre-trial detention.
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Christian Lanthier was pinned in 2019 as part of Operation Oursin, which targeted a network that controlled drug trafficking in the east of the province and in New Brunswick.
The police raid led to the arrest of 32 people on February 14, 2019, including some Hells Angels “prospects”, but no members in good standing.
Within the organization chart, Christian Lanthier was identified as one of the network’s suppliers. In the joint statement of facts filed before Judge Steve Magnan on Tuesday at the Quebec City courthouse, it is specified that Lanthier was pinned after an undercover operation.
5 pounds of coke
Lanthier and accomplices met on October 14, 2018 with a civilian undercover agent to organize drug trafficking at the restaurant Le Madrid, on Highway 20, near Drummondville. The next day, after the contribution of a “cut supplier”, the group transforms 4 kilograms of cocaine into 5 kilos intended for resale.
When the judge asked him on Tuesday if he recognized the facts with which he was charged, Christian Lanthier replied with a smile in his voice.
“Yes, yes, we conspired, Mr. Judge.”
Another count of narcotics trafficking weighed against Lanthier, but it was finally dropped by the prosecution. A count of failing to comply with a subpoena was also dropped given the guilty plea to the first count of conspiracy.
Pierre Paul Biron
Christian Lanthier had been imprisoned from his arrest on February 14, 2019 until June 28, 2022, for an estimated total of 1,200 days. With the increased credit at time and a half, defense attorney Me Francis Leborgne and Crown Prosecutor Me Marc Gosselin agreed that the 46-year-old had served the equivalent of five years in prison.
Judge Magnan therefore agreed to stay the sentence and sentence Lanthier to six months probation during which he pledged to maintain good behavior.
“Clearly, the evidence showed that the marketing was intended for criminal groups and if it was not to flood, it was to send large quantities to the market in eastern Quebec. All of this argued for a significant sentence and this five-year sentence was justified, “said the judge in his decision.
Difficult detention
The case had come back to court several times in recent years, Christian Lanthier having often denounced the conditions of detention which prevailed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The magistrate returned to this fact on Tuesday morning, wishing that these difficult conditions had a deterrent effect on Lanthier in his criminal career. The judge, however, rejected the opinion of the defendant, who often called for the establishment of a “COVID premium” to multiply the value of the days of detention served in solitary confinement during the pandemic.
“You had a period of detention which seems to have been difficult and I cannot neglect that period, but perhaps it had a beneficial effect of reflection for you”, indicated Steve Magnan, recalling that the guilty plea entered on Tuesday avoided the hearing of a motion to stay the proceedings related to these conditions of detention.
“I think that all the parties find their account there”, estimated the judge.