Convicted drug dealer created elaborate scheme with man he met while at drug rehabilitation
Following a 10-day trial, a Calgary court has found Alexander Stewart Corbett guilty on May 8 of found counts of possession of fentanyl and carfentanyl, and methamphetamine for the purpose of drug trafficking. He also found guilty of possession of a prohibited firearm and the proceeds of crime, cash.
In sentencing, Justice K. R. Willberg said the “the tactical use of disguise is a time-honoured ploy used by Greek gods, shy superheroes, and full-sized film stars impersonating half sized Hobbits (of this, more, later). Even now, the disguise of ownership, using a nominee, is a tactic employed in the less exotic setting of the illegal drug trade.”
From July 2022 to Sept. 27, 2022, the Calgary Police Service investigated Corbett for drug trafficking.
Searches were done at two homes. Justice Wilberg said on paper the homes were owned by Jay Robert Thiesse but the real owner was Corbett.
The first residence, 11811 Lake Fraser Drive SE, Unit 2711, was in the Gateway South complex (Gateway South). The second residence, 60 24 avenue SW, Unit 412, was located in the River Grande complex (River Grande).
Gateway South was unoccupied, but police found 2.4 gms of cocaine, 1,012.7 gms of methamphetamine, 703.9 gms of fentanyl and carfentanyl, and 30 tablets of oxycodone. Also found in a box on a cupboard shelf was a Colt .45 calibre handgun, a 3D printed Glock 9 mm handgun, magazines and live ammunition. A digital scale and packaging equipment were also found.
At River Grande, Corbett was the sole occupant, and 104.2 gms of cocaine, and 18.7 gms of methamphetamine was found. Corbett also had on his person $2375, and a cell phone. Near Corbett, in the bedroom where he was arrested, a backpack containing a Glock handgun and $35,860 was located. On a nearby desk, a Samsung cellphone was found. A closet in another room had a men’s jacket that contained $15,080. Packaging materials, a money counter and a digital scale were also found in the residence.
According to the Crown theory, Corbett was an upper-level dealer who employed the two residences as staging areas for the packaging and distribution of drugs. The firearms, money, cars, and cell phone communications facilitated this trade. Although it was a circumstantial case, the Crown submits the only reasonable inference from all the evidence was that Corbett was in possession for the purposes of trafficking.
The defence theory claimed there was insufficient proof that, on the day of arrest at River Grande, Corbett knew of the kilo level quantities of drugs at Gateway South. The drugs at River Grande were for personal use only. The defence maintained that evidence was insufficient to establish an inference that possession of the drugs for the purpose of trafficking was the only reasonable conclusion.
In particular, the defence theory maintained that other persons were present at both premises, and they could have brought the drugs in without Corbett’s knowledge. They maintain he could have been an innocent dupe.
Justice Wilbert said Thiesse, at Corbett’s request, acquired property in Thiesse’s name. The paperwork said Thiesse was the owner, user, or possessor, but he was not; Corbett was.
Corbett used a nominee scheme to conceal Corbett’s ownership, said Justice Wilberg.
The scheme was detailed by Thiesse. He described the friendship that had developed with Corbett while both men were attending a drug rehabilitation program. Later, in June of 2022, Corbett asked him to acquire, in Thiesse’s name, Gateway South. Next, he was told to register and insure two cars in Thiesse’s name. Finally, he was ordered to rent another residence, River Grande, also in Thiesse’s name. Thiesse explained that Corbett applied a great deal of emotional pressure to gain compliance. Corbett also promised to pay Thiesse in cocaine for his troubles.
Corbett will be sentenced at a later date.
