A 58-year-old Sudbury man with no previous criminal record is looking at a long jail sentence when he returns to court in late March after police raided his residence and found a large quantity of cocaine and money.
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Francis Croteau pleaded guilty last week to possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine after Greater Sudbury Police raided his South End residence on June 8.
Inside, police found 6.5 ounces of cocaine with a street value of just over $11,000 and $4,900 in cash. Also seized was a cell phone and two scales.
After being arrested and booked, federal Crown prosecutor Robert Topp told the court Croteau told police, Â?I've never used drugs in my life. This is just a business for me. I'm too sick to use drugs. I have a bad heart and I'm diabetic and have lung problems.Â?
Defence counsel Craig Fleming said Croteau's allegations of medical problems were confirmed following his arrest.
Because his client is looking at potentially being sent to jail and has never been in trouble with the law before, it would be appropriate for a pre-sentence report to be prepared before sentence is passed, said Fleming.
Topp told the court the Crown would be seeking a jail sentence.
Â?We will be seeking a lengthy period of jail for this admitted commercial drug dealer,Â? he said.
Croteau was released and must continue to adhere to his bail conditions until sentence is imposed against him by Justice William Fitzgerald on March 30.
