Ex-customs agent sentenced to 11 years in Quebec for role in cocaine case

SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, Que. — A former customs agent has been given an 11-year prison term for turning a blind eye to the importation of 182 kilograms of cocaine into Canada.

A Quebec judge sentenced Stefanie McClelland in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu on Tuesday after a jury convicted the mother of four last month.

The Crown was seeking a 15-year prison term, while the defence suggested five years.

In December 2014, McClelland allowed a vehicle carrying unconcealed bags of cocaine to enter Canada at the Lacolle border crossing.

She testified she was distracted at the time.

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Testimony revealed McClelland had sent a text message to the alleged head of a drug-trafficking ring to tell him she was at the Nexus entry point. The drug-laden vehicle arrived just minutes later and sailed through in a matter of seconds without its occupants having their passports checked.

(Radio-Canada)

The Canadian Press