Gordon Clifford Brooks was jailed for 20 months in relation to four drug charges. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

sentenced

‘I got pretty heavily into it:’ Nanaimo drug trafficker jailed, hopes to beat addiction

Apr 2, 2024 | 6:10 AM

NANAIMO — Drugs, heroin and fentanyl in particular, derailed a Nanaimo man who’s hoping to get his life back on track.

Gordon Clifford Brooks, 58, was handed a 20-month jail sentence on Wednesday, March 27 after he pleaded guilty to four drug charges in connection to a pair of busts in Nanaimo in 2021.

Significant volumes of GHB, commonly known as the date rape drug, along with supplies to make GHB, cocaine and fentanyl were seized following searches of a vehicle and a Nanaimo motel room.

Facts of the case outlined in BC Supreme Court provided a snapshot into the day-to-day drudgery of drug trafficker feeding his spiralling habit.

Acting on intelligence gathered by Nanaimo RCMP weeks prior, police found 41 litres of GHB in Brooks’ car during a March 3, 2021 traffic stop.

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Investigators estimated the GHB was worth as much as $10,000, according to Crown prosecutor Ian McFadgen.

A subsequent search of a Bluebird Motel room under Brooks’ name netted 36 grams of cocaine in a desk drawer, with the drugs carrying an estimated $3,600 street value.

More than five grams of fentanyl was also located in the motel room, as well as drug paraphernalia and around $1,000 in cash.

Brooks was arrested and later released.

Less than two months later Brooks found himself in handcuffs again.

Straying from maintaining a low profile, Brooks was connected to a public complaint of two people igniting fireworks from a parked car on south Nanaimo’s Silver Mountain Dr.

The Nanaimo RCMP officer who responded to the complaint observed numerous items in the vehicle necessary for producing GHB.

Police estimated the supplemental items were capable of generating hundreds of litres of the dangerous, odourless intoxicant.

Following a pair of arrests two months apart, Brooks made strides in addressing his addiction, McFadgen told the court.

“Mr. Brooks has shown considerable insight since that time, since using suboxone he’s weaned himself off fentanyl and heroin.”

McFadgen pointed to an eloquently written letter by Brooks to the court demonstrating his desire to get formal treatment.

Defence attorney Rory Morahan said Brooks, abused during his childhood, became heavily involved with drugs at around the age of 44 following a divorce.

At the time of his most recent offending, Brooks was trying to hide his fentanyl addiction from his then-girlfriend, Morahan said.

“He was hoping he would be able to remove himself from fentanyl, but it all blew up and she’s no longer in his life…”

Morahan said Brooks trafficked wholesale amounts of GHB to feed his heroin and fentanyl addiction, noting injuries Brooks sustained compounded his drug use.

Brooks rose from the prisoner’s box to tell the judge he was serious about changing his life.

“I have been on suboxone for a couple of years, but habits die hard and I need some tools to beat that, so that’s why I’d like to attend Guthrie House and hopefully that will work,” Brooks told court.

During a break in his sentencing hearing, Brooks told NanaimoNewsNOW fentanyl turns users into “complete monsters”.

“Because of the fentanyl addiction I got into the drug trade and I got pretty heavily into it. It was very easy to stay on the fentanyl because it’s very cheap right now and I had to get off of it because it’s becoming toxic, it’s becoming very dangerous and scary.”

Justice Michael Brundrett recommended Brooks serve his time at Nanaimo Correctional Centre, home of the renowned Guthrie Therapeutic Community.

“These offences are serious, but I am impressed with your taking responsibility for your actions and your commitment to your rehabilitation,” justice Brundrett said. “You have so much potential, but to realize it you have to stay away from these drugs which are basically garbage.”

As part of a jointly submitted sentence recommendation accepted by Justice Brundrett, Brooks was handed a sweeping 10-year firearms ban, and lifetime prohibited firearms ban.

He was also ordered to provide a DNA sample and a forfeiture of valuables associated to both drug busts.

Brooks, along with two other co-accused, are charged in relation to an alleged ‘Dark Web’ online drug trafficking scheme linked to a pair of busts at Nanaimo homes 2020.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes