A 22-year-old man, Samson Wamwanga, was sentenced to five years in prison for trafficking fentanyl, marking one of Quebec’s first significant sentences for such offenses. Despite seeking a lenient community sentence, Judge Rosemarie Millar emphasized the severity of the crisis, citing alarming statistics on fentanyl-related deaths. Wamwanga’s criminal activities included multiple sales to an undercover officer, and he faced further danger after surviving a shooting incident in 2023.
Judge Imposes Strict Sentence for Fentanyl Trafficking
A young man, convicted for trafficking fentanyl, faced a significant setback in his quest for clemency when a Gatineau judge sentenced him to five years in prison. This harsh ruling aims to highlight the destructive impact of this potent opioid.
Crown prosecutor Me Christopher Bernard noted that this may be “one of the first recorded sentences in Quebec for fentanyl trafficking on this scale,” as reported in local media.
Details of the Case
During his sentencing at the Gatineau courthouse, 22-year-old Samson Wamwanga sought a lenient community sentence with two years of probation. However, Judge Rosemarie Millar rejected this plea, emphasizing that a suspended sentence would undermine the severity of fentanyl trafficking.
Wamwanga’s criminal activities took place over at least a month in Ottawa and Gatineau during the winter of 2021. He infamously sold drugs to an undercover officer on four separate occasions, with transactions ranging from $200 to $1000. Notably, he was accompanied by a minor during one of these illicit sales.
The court was presented with a disturbing profile of Wamwanga, who claimed to have “access to a very large quantity of fentanyl.” Following a search of his Ottawa residence, authorities discovered nearly 50 grams of fentanyl and revealed that he had amassed $31,620 from his illegal dealings.
Judge Millar painted a stark picture of the opioid crisis, noting the alarming statistics surrounding fentanyl-related deaths in Canada. Between January 2016 and March 2022, over 30,843 fatalities were reported, with a staggering 91% increase in deaths during the first two years of the pandemic. In 2021, 86% of accidental opioid-related deaths involved fentanyl.
Wamwanga’s descent into drug trafficking reportedly began during the pandemic when he lost scholarship opportunities to play basketball due to the health crisis. He claimed he turned to this illegal trade to support his mother, who was facing unemployment and eviction. Despite earning at least $5,000 from his activities, a probation officer noted Wamwanga’s apparent trivialization of drug sales.
In a chilling turn of events, Wamwanga survived an attempted murder during a shooting incident in June 2023, underscoring the dangers associated with his lifestyle.