A Vermont man has been sentenced to prison for his role in smuggling a massive quantity of Xanax into the United States.
Cedrick Bourgault-Morin, 22, of Quebec, Canada, was sentenced yesterday to 12 months and 1 day of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release. In addition to the prison sentence, Bourgault-Morin must also serve one year of supervised release.
The charges stem from a January 13, 2016, incident in which Bourgault-Morin was apprehended by United States Border Patrol agents near the village of North Troy, Vermont. At the time of his arrest, Bourgault-Morin was found to be in possession of 300 vacuum-sealed plastic bags containing a total of 281,307 pills of Aprazolam, commonly known as Xanax.
A search of Bourgault-Morin’s person revealed that he did not possess a wallet or any identification documents, a cellular telephone, or other common items. The only item on his person was a silver folding lock-blade knife.
According to court records, the pills were 2mg oblong bars that were scored and divisible into four .5mg segments. Each pill bore markings consistent with those used to identify Xanax, which is a brand name for Aprazolam. Aprazolam is a benzodiazepine class of psychoactive drug typically prescribed as an anti-anxiety medication, and a Schedule IV drug.
The pills, which weighed approximately 182.82 pounds, had a value of approximately $1.6 million.
The matter was investigated by the United States Border Patrol, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. Bourgault-Morin was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender David L. McColgin.
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Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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