An Alberta man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a massive ephedrine smuggling ring.
Aubrey Bruneau, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to export ephedrine.
Bruneau was one of 18 people, including 10 Manitobans, arrested in September 2004 in an RCMP investigation called Operation Diversion.
Ephedrine, a strictly-controlled drug used in the production of cold medications, is also a key ingredient in crystal methamphetamine.
Court heard Bruneau became involved in the smuggling operation at the behest of his brother and co-accused Roger Bruneau, who has since died of a heart condition.
SMUGGLED EPHEDRINE
The criminal group ran a network that smuggled ephedrine from a Thunder Bay, Ont., bodybuilding supply company called Pumpuii Energy Products through Winnipeg, Lac du Bonnet and Hanna, Alta. Police seized more than 20,000 pounds of ephedrine and $3.5 million in cash.
Aubrey Bruneau, a mechanic in Hanna, helped isolate his brother from any connection to the drug by storing shipments at his shop and then delivering them to buyers in Canada and the U.S.
Court heard Bruneau received seven shipments of ephedrine totalling 7,600 pounds and was paid $5,000 for each shipment he delivered.
Police wiretaps recorded Bruneau complaining he was a year behind on his mortgage payments and was in danger of having his electricity cut off.
"There is clear desperation for financial need," Crown attorney Jason Clouston told court Wednesday.
FILED LAWSUIT
On other calls Bruneau confessed "he finds it exciting to break the law and provided more evidence that Aubrey is willing to do anything for Roger," Clouston said.
Aubrey Bruneau filed a lawsuit following his arrest, claiming Winnipeg police and RCMP members permanently damaged his shoulder and arm during his arrest. He also accused Mounties of slandering him by making misleading claims in media releases following the arrests.
Others arrested in the drug bust and still before the court include former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Robert (Eddie) Blake and Dwight Mushey. Mushey is now on trial in Ontario charged with first-degree murder in the 2006 massacre of eight Bandidos bikers.
