Sentencing hearing starts for woman who was 'a central cog' to major N.W.T. drug network

A sentencing hearing began Monday for a woman prosecutiondescribes as a "central cog" in the Todd Dubedrug network a sophisticated Yellowknife drug ring that saw 14 people arrested and firearms, diamonds, cash, marijuana and approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills seized in April last year.

In October,Dube, the 22-year-old once at the centre of the drug network, was sentenced to nine years in prison oneof the longest sentences ever handed down for drugtrafficking in the territory.

• Yellowknife drug ring 'kingpin' receives 9-year prison sentence

In Northwest TerritoriesSupreme Court Monday, Katrina Stiopu admitted she provided stash houses for Dube and his dealers to store large amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana and other drugs.

Crown prosecutor Duane Praught is asking for a five-year sentence for Stiopu the same sentence given to Brittany Dube, sister of Todd Dube, anothersenior figure in the drug operation.

Stiopu smiled at alarge group of her relatives gathered in the gallery as she entered the courtroom Monday.

But she held her face in her hands asPraught played secretly-recorded phone conversations between her and Dube.

• LISTEN| Wiretapped audio gives raw glimpse into illegal drug trafficking in Yellowknife

In the calls, Dube arranged to pick up drugs at stash houses Stiopu had organized in Ndilo and along the Dettah Road near Yellowknife.

Stiopu also arranged to have her grandmother pick up a load of drugs from B.C. near the N.W.T. border. They were arrested with a large amount of cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs on the way back to Yellowknife in April of last year.

Praught said Stiopu was "a major cog in keeping the operation running smoothly."

Stiopu said she was involved in the drug network to feed her own drug habit, but Praught notedStiopu was calm and business-like in her conversations with Dube.

"She was not an addict being used by Mr. Dube," said Praught.

Stiopu pleaded guilty to conspiring to traffic cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana.

The defence is scheduled to make its arguments Tuesday afternoon.

'Do you want him blasted?'

Additionally, the Crown is calling for a three-year sentence for a 22-year-old man who offered to beat another man into a coma.

Ryley Moore made the offer to Dube overphone, unaware that RCMP were recording it.

The prosecutor played the tapeat Moore's sentencing hearing yesterday.

"If you want, I've got me and a couple of my boys ready todo something," asks Moore in the recording.

Dube then asks how much money Moore wants.

"Depends. Like do you want him blasted?" says Moore.

Dubesays he would give Moore $5,000 to hospitalize the man, and put him in a coma.

Praughtsaid he and the defence both agreed that 30 to 36 months is an appropriate sentence.

Butin a highly unusual move, defence lawyer Jay Bran said Moore had changed his mind about the deal and suggested a sentence of 24 to 30 months.

Bran said his client had a rough upbringing, growing up in a Hay River home where violence and alcohol were common. Bran said Moore was moved around several foster homes.

Praught later told the judge police could have charged Moore with conspiracy to commit murder based on some of the phone recordings.

The sentencing hearing for Stiopu and Moore continues today.

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