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A Toronto man sentenced on Tuesday for his involvement in a $36-million cross-border cocaine and meth operation told Windsor, Ont., court he needed to get arrested as a way out of the criminal activity.
Superior Court Justice Paul Howard sentenced Marvin Watson to 16 years in prison, which was a joint submission by the Crown and defence. He’s set to spend about 14 years and five months behind bars after deducting time served, crowded jail conditions and strict bail rules.
The 32-year-old expressed remorse while speaking briefly to the judge.
“I don’t want anybody to think I’m just some money-hungry guy. I just got myself in a situation and thought the best way to get out was to get arrested,” said Watson, who didn’t have a prior criminal record.
His lawyer, Frank Retar, said in court that the activity started during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Watson had a hard time finding work.
In September, Watson pleaded guilty to:
- Importing meth and cocaine.
- Two counts of possession of meth for the purpose of trafficking.
- Laundering proceeds of crime.
- Possessing property obtained by a crime.
In January, Howard allowed the sentencing to be delayed until July because Watson was about to become a first-time dad.
The woman carrying his child, Maria Kiguru, was also part of the criminal drug ring. She pleaded guilty on Sept. 6 to laundering proceeds of crime and was given a conditional sentence of two years.
CBSA found meth at Windsor-Michigan bridge
It all started in March 2023 when Canada Border Services Agency officers found 300 kg of meth inside a semi-truck at the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit.
RCMP began an investigation and later found 120 kg of cocaine inside a van they said Watson was driving. More drugs were found at a residence.
“There’s no fentanyl. There’s no heroin. There’s no guns or weapons of any kind,” Retar said in court on Tuesday.
Both sides also agreed that Watson was more than a courier in the drug operation, but less than a mastermind.
Retar shed some light in court on how Watson got started in the drug industry, pointing to difficult employment opportunities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Retar said his client “innocently enough” began in the “marijuana distribution business.”
Loads of cannabis would come from California and would be pressed in Watson’s home, Retar said.
‘Arrested or what’s the other alternative’
At one point, there was a theft, and Retar said Watson became “indebted” to the person who was giving him direction. Eventually, the operation evolved in Watson handling harder drugs, such as cocaine and meth.
“He was stuck,” said Retar. “Arrested or what’s the other alternative.
“It’s a sad commentary when an accused has to say I had to get arrested so I would be able to continue and hopefully be released from custody and live my life with my family.”
