A Prince George man was sentenced Tuesday to a further 4 1/2 years in federal prison on counts stemming from a haul of more than $200,000 worth of drugs from two homes in the city.
In all, Kenneth Daniel Kirkpatrick, 38, was sentenced to six years but received credit of 1 1/2 years for time served prior to sentencing.
Acting on a tip that he may be trafficking in heroin, Prince George RCMP obtained a warrant in September 2017 to track Kirkpatrick's cellphone.
From there, the detachment's street crew unit was able to keep tabs on Kirkpatrick and over about three weeks he was seen driving around the city, visiting known drug traffickers and acting in a manner consistent with trafficking, the court was told.
He was also seen going to and from two homes - one in the 1600 block of Harper Drive and the other in the 300 block of Mullet Crescent - leading police to believe he was storing drugs at those spots.
On Oct. 11, 2017, police converged on Kirkpatrick in his vehicle after it looked like he was about to sell some drugs to a customer. He was arrested and in the vehicle RCMP found 8.28 grams of cocaine, 6.2 grams of fentanyl-laced heroin, $1,000 in cash and two cellphones and two digital scales.
Keys seized from Kirkpatrick were used to unlock the deadbolts at the two homes.
A search of the Harper Drive home uncovered $155,000 of bundled cash, 507 grams of methamphetamine, 110 grams of cocaine, 110 grams of fentanyl-laced heroin and trafficking paraphernalia. A search of the Mullet Crescent home uncovered 395 grams of fentanyl-laced heroin, 109 grams of cocaine, a billy club, knives, a stun gun, a digital scale and an improperly stored and loaded shotgun.
Four kilograms of caffeine were also uncovered. The substance can help heroin vaporize at a lower temperature and so make it easier to smoke or inhale. The heroin found in Kirkpatrick's vehicle was also laced with caffeine, it was noted.
At the time, police put the street value of the drugs at more than $200,000.
Kirkpatrick has three previous convictions for possession for the purpose of trafficking, one from Edmonton and two from Vancouver.
The court was told both Kirkpatrick's parents were drug addicts and one of died from an overdose.
"It was almost impossible for him to have a normal upbringing and a normal life," defence lawyer Dan Geller told the court. "His introduction to drugs was very early, you can see that from his record."
There is reason for optimism, however, the court was told. Kirkpatrick has avoided drugs since he has been in custody and once he's out, he and his spouse plan to move away to another community where he has prospects for employment.
However, when Kirkpatrick was given a chance to speak to the court, he also expressed doubt that anyone who searches for his name on the internet will want to give him a job.
"Drug charges, boom, who's going to hire me now?" he said.
He admitted to turning to selling drugs whenever he gets himself in debt.
"I keep going back to the streets because that's all I know," Kirkpatrick said. "I'm ashamed of it. I wish I could do better in life, I want to."
Kirkpatrick pleaded guilty to a handful of charges related to the investigation, and in issuing the sentence, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Warren Milman agreed to a joint submission from Crown and defence counsels.
