A Norfolk drug dealer was sent to prison for the second time in three years when he appeared before the Ontario Court in Simcoe recently.
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Adrian Z. Matthews, 27, of Courtland, was released after serving the statutory portion of his 29-month sentence leveled in 2021. He became the target of a police investigation again in February this year.
Federal prosecutor Jamie Pereira told a judge Matthews was arrested while in a taxi moving through the drive-through of Wendy’s in Simcoe. He was found with all sorts of evidence of drug dealing.
“When the cab was stopped and searched, police found 32 pre-packaged dime bags, each with .1 grams of fentanyl,” said Pereira, adding there was more fentanyl and a cell phone on the floor.
Matthews’ backpack contained drug packaging materials, two digital scales and a folding knife that was inscribed with the words “Simcoe Adrian”.
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The dealer also had coyote spray and a stun gun that was labeled “Police”.
In a cross-body bag Matthews was carrying, police found powdered and crack cocaine, tablets of ecstasy and methamphetamine, along with hundreds of dollars in currency and prepaid gift cards.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of drugs for trafficking, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon despite an order to the contrary. Several other charges were withdrawn.
“What’s very concerning in this case is that he recently had been released from custody and, unfortunately, returned to the drug trade,” said Pereira, “and was carrying a weapon when he was already prohibited from doing so.”
Defense lawyer Shawn Swarts said Matthews was well-immersed in the drug subculture and trafficking to help fund his own struggles with addiction, a fact the court considers.
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“To his credit, he has cleaned up his act and gotten sober,” said Swarts.
“It’s his hope that this resolves all outstanding criminal matters so he can do his time and start life afresh. He suggested he may remove himself from this area.”
That might not help, said Justice Elizabeth Wilson.
“You may decide to change communities where you think you won’t have access to drugs but they’re out there and, if you want, you can find them.”
Wilson said she questioned the sincerity of Matthews, given his quick return to dealing after being released from prison, but urged him to think about his impact on the Simcoe community.
“You need to decide if you’re going to spend the rest of your life doing sentences in custody or if you want to make a change. I hope you’re sincere.”
The judge agreed to the joint sentence put forward three-and-a-half years in prison less the almost eight months of time Matthews was already credited with serving.
@EXPSGamble
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