Sentencing for a Toronto man believed to be the mastermind of a $36-million cross-border drug trafficking operation that all started in Windsor, Ont., is being delayed several months because he’s waiting to become a father for the first time.
In September, Marvin Watson, 33, pleaded guilty to importing meth and cocaine, possession of meth for the purpose of trafficking, laundering proceeds of crime and possessing property obtained by a crime.
His partner, Maria Kiguru, pleaded guilty to laundering proceeds of crime and on Sept. 6, was given a conditional sentence of two years.
Watson was expected to be sentenced to significant jail time on Tuesday, but that was adjourned until July because Kiguru is expecting their first child.
“They deeply appreciate the position for allowing them to spend this invaluable time together as they have their first child,” Frank Reta, Watson’s defence lawyer, said in court Tuesday.
The Crown attorney also consented to the adjournment and Justice Paul Howard, regional senior judge for the Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s Southwest Region, agreed.
“The court recognizes that it’s an exceptional circumstance,” said Howard.
Windsor defence lawyer Laura Joy, who isn’t involved in this case, said it’s common for courts to show such compassion.
“This accused plead guilty. He is looking at a lengthy sentence. It allows him to get his affairs in order,” said Joy. “Please remember, he’s plead guilty, so that means on a serious matter, he’s spared the courts the resources.
“For a justice system to be effective, there must be compassion. There must be empathy. If we don’t have that, what are we doing?”
Investigation started at Ambassador Bridge
What led to Watson’s arrest started on March 4, 2023, when a semi-truck entered Canada using the Ambassador Bridge. During a secondary inspection, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers discovered 300 kilograms of meth hidden in the load.
The RCMP and CBSA seized $36 million worth of meth and cocaine as a part of a cross border drug trafficking investigation. (RCMP)
That man was arrested and turned over to the RCMP, prompting an investigation into where those drugs were intended to go and where they originated.
The RCMP says Watson was the “suspected organizer” of that shipment and Kiguru, 35, was also involved in the criminal activity.
During the investigation, Watson was arrested at his home and seen in a moving van that contained 120 kilograms of cocaine, police say.
The RCMP and CBSA executed a search warrant at his home and found another 100 kilograms of meth and small amounts of opium, MDMA and cannabis.
Overall, the RCMP says it seized $26 million worth of meth and $12 million worth of cocaine during this investigation.
Tightening border security ahead of Trump presidency
Watson’s sentence was scheduled several days ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president. He’s been a vocal proponent of tightening up security at the border.
Trump has threatened to put a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian exports, in response to what he claims are border security concerns, specifically involving migrants and illegal drugs.
President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump complained about Canada and Mexico taking advantage of the U.S. in trade, and has since added jabs at Canada on social media. (Evan Vucci/The Canadian Press)
To help stave off that threat, the Canadian government has recently proposed 24/7 surveillance of the Canada-U.S. border.
Those measures include spending $1.3 billion to secure the border by outfitting the RCMP with helicopters, drones and mobile surveillance towers, and starting a new joint “strike force” as a way to target organized crime.
Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta have also announced their own boosted border security measures.