Mitigating factors weren’t enough to lessen the number of years a Burnaby man will spend behind bars after he was convicted of conspiring to import 97 kilograms of cocaine into Canada in 2008, according to a recent B.C. Supreme Court judgement.
Burnaby resident Christopher Lloyd Mehan was arrested in August 2012 as part of an extensive investigation the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. (CFSEU) began in 2008. The investigation started when the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency successfully distributed several encrypted smart phones to members of an illicit drug organization with connections in Canada – one of those connections was Mehan.
The joint investigation resulted in several major seizures of cocaine in 2008, including one on Dec. 18, when more than 120 kilograms of cocaine, stashed in a hidden compartment of a tractor-trailer cab, were confiscated at the Canada-U.S. border. Less than a week later, another batch of cocaine, this time hidden among a shipment of bananas, was intercepted at the Pacific Highway Crossing in Surrey.
Mehan was charged and convicted for his role importing the second batch of cocaine, which amounted to 97 kilograms.
According to Justice Ian Josephson’s judgement, Mehan arranged the transport of the cocaine from Los Angeles, California, to B.C. He also acted as a broker for 22 of the 97 kilograms of cocaine travelling across the border, and he was planning on buying one kilogram with Jeremy Stark of Langley, who stood trial with Mehan in the spring.
The border interception was the beginning of the end for Mehan and his fellow importers. In June 2009, CFSEU officers executed seven search warrants at properties across the Lower Mainland, including Burnaby. Among the items police recovered were four firearms, including a 44 Magnum pistol, a 357 Magnum revolver, a .38-calibre semi-automatic pistol and a .40-calibre semi-automatic pistol.
In August 2012, Mehan and six others were charged in connection with the illegal operation, including Stark.
In April, a jury found Mehan and Stark guilty of one count of conspiracy to import cocaine. Stark was also convicted of one count of conspiracy to traffic cocaine.
In his judgement, Josephson noted Mehan, who is 43 years old now, was married from 1997 to 2004 and has two children.
“His former wife and children remain very supportive,” Josephson wrote.
The Supreme Court Justice also noted that since his arrest, Mehan has been volunteering his time as a prep cook in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. He has also received treatment for his drug “dependency.”
“Mr. Mehan now acknowledges the harm that illicit drugs can cause in the community. He appears remorseful and determined to live a lawful and productive life. I am satisfied Mr. Mehan poses little risk of further offending in the future,” Josephson noted.
Despite the kind words, Mehan was sentenced to 10 years in jail. (Stark was sentenced to 13 years in prison.)
