Weekend time for cocaine trafficker

Robert Bourgaize, 41, was sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to possessing 18 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He’ll serve his sentence on weekends at Baffin Correctional Centre.

Iqaluit RCMP’s drug section seized the drugs, worth an estimated $3,700, on Jan. 25.

The drugs were stored in several baby bottle liners and in a plastic bag found at Bourgaize’s home.

Defence lawyer Brad MacIsaac said his client was selling cocaine to pay off debts.

MacIsaac requested the sentence be served intermittently to allow his client to work in maintenance and construction.

Before handing down her sentence, Justice Mary Hetherington expressed concern about Bourgaize’s pre-sentence report.

“He’s not been a reliable source as to his employment. He does not attract a lot of sympathy,” Hetherington said.

She agreed to the intermittent sentence on further confirmation of Bourgaize’s employment record.

Bourgaize is prohibited from possessing firearms for 10 years as a result of his conviction.