A pregnant drug trafficker imprisoned for four months cut court proceedings short in order to give birth in freedom, before heading to prison for a long sentence.
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Marjorie Briand recently pleaded guilty to serious charges of drug trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
She was arrested last August during the dismantling of a criminal crack and cocaine smuggling network. The organization in which she took part was called Run 132 and operated on the South Shore of Montreal.
The police had found more than $24,000 in her home, 19 grams of crack, nearly 10 grams of cocaine and small pink Ziploc bags in which the drugs were sold.
It was she who was in contact with the dealers, in addition to recovering the money. She was also one of the “managers” of the cache, where the police had seized a large quantity of drugs, various articles useful for trafficking, as well as two long weapons.
Marjorie Briand was initially charged with possession of these weapons. But the investigation finally revealed that it was not linked to this offense, recently confirmed the Crown prosecutor, Me Vincent Huet, at the Longueuil courthouse.
Justice gives him respite
The 27-year-old woman had been detained since her arrest. Then two months pregnant, she had failed to convince the court to release her for the rest of the proceedings, for lack of guarantees that she would not reoffend.
But made more than halfway through her pregnancy, Marjorie Briand was finally able to get out of prison a few days before Christmas, while awaiting her sentence. Justice also offered her a respite by postponing the hearings for the determination of the sentence, in order to let her give birth and even enjoy her baby for a few months. The delivery is expected in April.
“The pregnancy is progressing, the conditions of detention are never easy. We are therefore aware of the difficulties she might experience in prison, ”acknowledged Ms.e Huet, adding that the inmate had difficulty obtaining medical follow-up.
She also presented a more credible exit plan, he conceded.
“She has a legitimate job, she will have an imminent delivery, her parents are more aware of the situation and she admits her guilt. This is an element that reassures the Crown in terms of the risk of recidivism,” he said.
long sentence
But her maternity leave will likely take a very special turn, since detention is inevitable.
“She will have to face the music eventually, launched Vincent Huet. The prosecution intends to ask for a significant penitentiary sentence.
“She is very aware of it, added the defendant’s lawyer, Dimitri Raymond. It will give the lady time to enjoy the first months with the baby, so there will be some contact with the child following delivery.
Sentencing submissions will take place at the end of the summer. Until then, the mother-to-be will have to respect various conditions, including a curfew.
