Boater found with cocaine in his lunch deserves probation says Crown, defence

The Mounties nabbed Gregory Smith with 13 grams of cocaine when they inspected a boat on the St. Marys River two years ago, a judge heard Tuesday.

The RCMP officers were on patrol on June 3, 2017 when they stopped and searched the watercraft, federal prosecutor Ben Pritchard said.

Smith, 39, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine.

Ontario Court Justice Melanie Dunn was told the Sault Ste. Marie man was serving a conditional sentence at the time, and breached his probation by having the cocaine and operating a stolen vessel.

Lawyer Jennifer Tremblay-Hall said the defence wasn't disputing that.

Pritchard said the officers discovered the cocaine in a lunch bag.

They also found scales, a silver spoon covered with a white powder and a crack pipe.

There is an issue of usage of the narcotics by Smith, Pritchard said.

The Crown and defence jointly recommended that the accused be sentenced to one-day time served (three days) and placed on probation for 18 months.

Dunn noted the matter had been the subject of a few judicial pre-trials, and she had no hesitation in going along with the joint sentencing submission.

"It is not an early plea, but is indicative of remorse," she said.

During his probation, Smith must undergo assessment and counselling and must sign a consent form so his probation officer can monitor his participation in the programs.

No action will be taken on the breach, the judge said.

The drugs and paraphernalia were ordered to be forfeited.

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