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Drug dealer arrested at Sarnia massage parlour gets 15 months 0


The Observer

A Sarnia man caught with more than $12,000 worth of cocaine at a massage parlour was sentenced to 15 months in jail Thursday.

Ronald James Fraser, 42, pleaded guilty in Sarnia court to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking Oct. 7, 2009.

Sarnia police raided the Sarnia Shiatsu Massage and Fraser arrived at the scene minutes later.

A search of Fraser produced 157 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $12,000 to $15,000.

The cocaine contained benzocaine, a painkilling drug that can be sprayed or spread on affected areas.

The drug is a favoured cutting agent among cocaine dealers, said federal prosecutor Michael Robb.

Benzocaine's numbing impact leads buyers who dab a bit of the cocaine-benzocaine mixture on their tongue to believe it is high-purity cocaine.

Justice Ann McFadyen said Fraser had the cocaine for purely commercial purposes because there was no evidence he used it. It's an insidious drug with a devastating impact on the community that requires a very strong denunciatory message to be sent, she said.

Fraser had a substantial criminal record, including a prior conviction for a similar offence.

"I just want to apologize for what I did. I know I was wrong. It will never happen again," said Fraser.

In addition to the jail time 18 months of probation was imposed.

During probation he must take counseling and stay away from drugs.

A lifetime weapons ban was imposed.

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