Kien Pham berated reporters for taking pictures of him prior to being sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug and weapons offences. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

prison sentence

Nanaimo drug trafficker sentenced to 15 years in prison

Mar 5, 2024 | 5:20 AM

NANAIMO — Tears rolled down the eyes of a dejected man sentenced for leading a brisk and sophisticated drug dealing scheme which came crumbling down.

Kien Trung Pham was convicted on all 14 charges he faced linked to a May 2019 bust at Vancouver International Airport, as well as at his central Nanaimo apartment unit days later.

BC Supreme Court justice Robin Baird ruled the 44-year-old man “was in charge and control” of local and international level trafficking of hard drugs.

Justice Baird stated nearly 7.5 kilograms of New Zealand bound methamphetamine intercepted by Canadian Border Services Agency officers at YVR was found in containers disguised as fitness supplements under the cover of a fictitious nutrition company.

Six ounces of fentanyl and an ounce of cocaine were found in Pham’s Central Nanaimo apartment unit on Summerhill Pl. two weeks later, which justice Baird determined was specifically rented for packaging and distributing drugs.

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“I was drawn to the conclusion on the basis of the substantial evidence presented at trial that Mr. Pham was running a lucrative drug trafficking operation serving local, trans-national and international dealers and users,” justice Baird outlined during his nearly hour-long judgment on Monday, March 4 in Nanaimo.

A Crown expert estimated the YVR haul was worth upwards of $750,000 on the streets in Canada, while the drugs at Pham’s apartment were valued at around $35,000.

Four firearms, two of which were prohibited, along with ammunition were found by police in Pham’s second floor unit.

Justice Baird said Pham’s weapons exposed tenants of his building and others to the incidental harms of the violent drug trade.

“It does not require much imagination to conjure a scenario in which the other residents of Summerhill Place and innocent members of the public might have been caught in a violent cross-fire.”

Nanaimo RCMP raided Pham’s apartment unit at 1805 Summerhill Place, located in the Bowen Rd/Dufferin Cres. area. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The offender’s cell phones provided valuable intelligence in advancing the police investigation into Pham’s trafficking of crystal meth, fentanyl and cocaine.

“These show, with perfect clarity, not only that he was heavily engaged in his New Zealand methamphetamine trade, but also that he was trafficking in all three of these substances locally in mid-level quantities of up to an ounce and smaller amounts via Canada Post across Canada throughout the duration of the police investigation that finally brought him down.”

Pham’s phones revealed pictures of large stacks of Canadian, New Zealand and European cash in large denominations.

Text exchanges around the time of the busts indicated Pham travelled to Montreal to purchase 190 kilograms of methamphetamine.

A single score sheet at his apartment showed an accounts receivable of $163,000, while more than $4,700 was found on Pham upon his arrest.

Justice Baird said Pham insulated himself by using underlings to do his dirty work of shipping drugs on his behalf.

The judge honed in on the fact the offender was a “pure profiteer” whose greed continually ravaged vulnerable people.

“…let it be emphasized, not an addict himself, not involved in this vicious trade to support his own habit, but a parasite – enriching himself by the immiseration and destruction of others…”

Pham’s lawyer argued for a nine year jail sentence, which justice Baird described as demonstrably unfit.

Crown prosecutor Ian McFadgen successfully lobbied for 15 years behind bars.

Pham has multiple previous criminal convictions, including a two year jail sentence for drug offences in 2008.

He was born in Vietnam and moved to Canada in 1992 with his sister and mother.

In a pre-sentence report, Pham reported he had a happy, supportive upbringing.

He most recently claimed to be living in Montreal with his spouse and two daughters.

“He refused to discuss the charges before the court, he expressed no insight into the harm that he’s inflicted upon drug users or the community and has taken no responsibility for his criminal misconduct,” justice Baird remarked toward the end of his judgment.

Claims by Pham of gainful employment were vague and non-specific, justice Baird said, who noted evidence showed the offender was involved in the illicit drug trade for many years.

Pham was found guilty last summer following a five week trial.

All items seized during the police investigation were forfeited by Pham, while he was ordered to provide a DNA sample and a lifetime firearms ban was applied.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes