Ontario’s most senior police chief is slamming a senior Ontario judge’s decision to delay prison sentencing of a man involved in a $38-million drug enterprise until after his co-accused wife gives birth to his first child.
Only in Canada would you ever see a man – Marvin Watson, of Toronto – convicted in a major drug operation give a seven-month reprieve before learning how long he will serve in prison.
Watson, 33, and Maria Kiguru, 35, who have both pleaded guilty for their roles in a crystal meth and cocaine smuggling ring, are being given this special baby bonus courtesy of the Ontario justice system.
The mother of two other children, not fathered by Watson, pleaded guilty to laundering the proceeds of crime and was handed a conditional sentence, so as long as she follows the guidelines she will serve no jail time.
Meanwhile, the soon-to-be father was extended a courtesy that might be afforded to an expecting mom but not typically a dad.
“They deeply appreciate the position for allowing them to spend this invaluable time together as they have their first child,” CBC Windsor reports Watson’s lawyer Frank Retar telling the court on Tuesday.
CBC also reported Justice Paul Howard, described by the Law Times as being a Regional Senior Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, saying, “The court recognizes that it’s an exceptional circumstance.”
In his 23-years as a police chief and 43 years as a cop, Halton Regional Police Chief Steve Tanner thought he had seen and heard it all.
And then comes news of a Windsor court deciding to let a couple enjoy their first child before the man, who pleaded guilty in a major drug trafficking case, starts serving his time.
“It’s absolutely absurd,” Tanner said of an expectant baby being used as a factor to delay Watson’s sentencing.
Retar has not so far responded to the Sun’s request for further comment.
But Windsor defence counsel Laura Joy, who isn’t involved in this case, told the CBC the convicted drug trafficker is looking at a lengthy sentence and the delay “allows him to get his affairs in order.”
“Please remember, he’s plead guilty, so that means on a serious matter, he’s spared the courts the resources,” Joy said. “For a justice system to be effective, there must be compassion. There must be empathy. If we don’t have that, what are we doing?”
But Tanner isn’t buying it.
“An individual who pleads guilty (is) no longer innocent until proven guilty,” said Tanner.
And a convicted person “in relation to a $38 million drug importation charge is released to wait for a baby to be born? And will wait along with the co-accused mother who also plead guilty to lesser charges.”
Tanner said his first reaction was disbelief.
When asked by the Toronto Sun to comment, the veteran top cop didn’t hold back or mince words.
“They say $38-million. What does it take to be held in custody?” Tanner asked. “If anyone hasn’t noticed, we have a massive drug problem in our society – on both sides of our border with the United States – and people are overdosing and dying every day.”
And this was a very serious case.
On Nov. 15, 2023, the Canada Border Services Agency and Royal Canadian Mounted Police issued a news release stating, “On March 4, 2023, a semi-truck coming into Canada at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing” was inspected and 300 kilograms of methamphetamine were discovered “hidden within the load.”
An “in-depth investigation” was launched to determine where the methamphetamine was coming from and who was responsible.
Investigators determined Marvin Watson was the “suspected organizer of the initial shipment” and his partner, Maria Kiguru, was “suspected of having been involved in the criminal activity.”
Windsor Star’s Doug Schmidt, who quoted Retar saying his client faces “double digit” time in prison for this crime, reported in September that more drugs were subsequently discovered when a search warrant was later executed at the couple’s North York home.
The white Dodge Ram truck that Watson was driving at the time was also reportedly paid for with $42,500 in cash.
The CBSA and RCMP also said “during the investigation, police observed Watson arrive at his residence in a moving van. Police stopped the vehicle and arrested Watson finding 120 kilograms of cocaine in the van.”
After a search warrant was executed, officers found “100 kilograms of methamphetamine, one kilogram of opium, two kilograms of MDMA, and several kilograms of marijuana,” along with “evidence of possession of proceeds of crime and money laundering.”
Watson and Kiguru pleaded guilty to charges stemming from this and are being given extra consideration because they are with child.
“Great deterrent,” Tanner said sarcastically. “Somehow saving the courts time becomes a priority in letting serious criminals out.”
And delaying delaying incarceration so they can have a baby.