Dealer of red and purple fentanyl sent to prison

One of four people found in an apartment with more than $45,000 worth of red and purple fentanyl was sentenced recently to six years in prison.

Paul James Wesley Johnson, 53, of Norfolk, was sentenced last month but charges against another Norfolk man and woman were withdrawn and the fourth person arrested – a Toronto man named Sha-Twain Moore – hasn’t been seen for more than a year. A warrant remains outstanding for his arrest.

Federal prosecutor Jamie Pereira told an Ontario Court judge that Johnson was missing for a while, too, but eventually rearrested and held in custody.

“Why did it take so long for him to be found?” asked Justice Gethin Edward.

“This drives me nuts. He was presumably on bail. Someone’s got to know what his address is and he’s supposed to reside there.

“We’ve got a sophisticated drug dealer at liberty for the better part of eight months. Who’s doing anything to ensure that he comes back into the system?”

Pereira said there were no easy answers but if the person isn’t at the address they committed to, it’s difficult for police to track them down.

When police entered the Norfolk Street South apartment with a search warrant on Feb. 24, 2021, Johnson and another person were in a back bedroom with 76 grams of fentanyl, about $10,000 worth of cocaine and $2,000 worth of methamphetamine.

They had scales, packaging materials, baking soda, money and a debt list.

When police got a warrant for Johnson’s cell phone, they were able to retrieve messages that indicated ongoing trafficking.

“Mr. Johnson is acknowledging being in possession of the drugs for trafficking with Moore,” said Pereira, adding that Johnson said the drugs were owned by Moore.

An agreement was reached for the equivalent of a six-year sentence for Johnson on possession of fentanyl for trafficking, plus five further days for failing to appear in court.

Johnson was credited with already serving 310 days awaiting trial, leaving five years and 55 days left in his award.

“It’s a significant sentence for a significant quantity of drugs that are killing a significant number of people,” said Pereira.

“Hopefully it’s a deterrent for Mr. Johnson and anyone else who thinks they can make a quick buck selling fentanyl.”

Johnson’s defense lawyer told the judge that his client was injured at work in 2001 and was over-prescribed opiates, becoming addicted.

“He understands what he was doing was wrong and plans to do his time, get out and move on with his life.”

Justice Edward said sending people to prison for selling fentanyl has become an epidemic and wondered where the system is going to keep them all.

“In courts across Canada, almost on a daily basis, people are being sent to the penitentiary one after another, for their involvement in trafficking or possession of fentanyl for trafficking.

“It’s incredible, but it’s the reality” for fentanyl dealers, said the judge.

“Like night follows day.”

Johnson was placed on a weapons prohibition and had to forfeit the cash, debt lists, scales and cell phone that was seized in the raid.

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