By Ian Holmes

Fentanyl dealer disappears during break in Nanaimo court hearing

Apr 15, 2019 | 4:35 PM

NANAIMO — A warrant was issued for a man who pleaded guilty to fentanyl and carfentanil offences and a weapon charge.

Michael Damien Byrne, 41, did not return to BC Supreme Court in Nanaimo for the opening of his afternoon sentencing hearing on April 10 after pleading guilty earlier in the day.

Justice Douglas Thompson cancelled Byrne’s bail and issued a warrant for his arrest, according to an official speaking on behalf of the federal prosecutor working the case.

Byrne pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing fentanyl and carfentanil for the purpose of trafficking, and possessing a prohibited weapon in a vehicle.

He was not in custody when he vanished during his court proceedings.

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Byrne is five-foot-11, 160 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes