David Anthony Lucas, 34, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for trafficking a range of hard drugs, including fentanyl in Campbell River on Sept. 11, 2018 (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

jail sentence

Island fentanyl dealer gets federal prison sentence from Nanaimo judge

May 28, 2020 | 6:05 AM

NANAIMO — A Campbell River man with a lengthy criminal past received a federal prison sentence for dealing high-potency fentanyl and other hard drugs.

David Anthony Lucas, 34, was sentenced recently via video by provincial court judge Brian Harvey in Nanaimo to three-and-a-half years in prison, which will see roughly one year removed with credit for time served.

Lucas was found guilty of all four counts of possessing three controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking on Sept. 11, 2018 in Campbell River.

After an RCMP traffic stop and brief foot chase, court was told Lucas had roughly 10.5 grams of drugs in his possession, most of it heroin and fentanyl. Smaller amounts of crystal meth, cocaine and crack cocaine were found by arresting officers, along with $4,800 cash, several baggies, and a continually ringing cell phone.

Lucas’ SUV was pulled over because he was wanted on other warrants.

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Judge Harvey determined Lucas was involved in a dial-a-dope operation, rejecting his notion the drugs were for personal use.

Judge Harvey said there was no evidence any instruments seized during the traffic stop were for using drugs.

Lucas is no stranger to law enforcement and the judicial system. Harvey said the offender has 55 prior convictions since 2004.

Lucas has a history of property related crimes, assault and an extensive driving record, including a 2018 conviction for dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

He was handed a five-year driving ban in Nov, 2018.

Lucas intends to leave the province for Alberta, where he grew up, court was told.

Crown prosecutor Chris Gibson pushed for a four year jail sentence, minus a year of credit for time already served.

Defence lawyer Sarah Runyon requested no additional jail time.

Runyon argued street-level traffickers typically have no control over the contents of their drugs and can’t verify the presence of fentanyl.

The defence argued there’s evidence harsher punishments for fentanyl-related offences are deterring people from accessing important health services and exacerbating the opiod crisis.

Judge Harvey said Lucas’ record demonstrates a disregard for community safety.

“Persons who engage in possession for the purpose of trafficking in fentanyl, particularly high-potency fentanyl, must know that there will be significant consequences should be pursue such criminal activity,” Judge Harvey stated.

A lifetime weapons ban was also applied against Lucas.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions the case was moved to Nanaimo from Campbell River, while Lucas learned his punishment in pre-trial lock-up in Victoria.

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