Latest news with #MarvinWatson
4 days ago
- Business
LIVE 9 Ontario First Nations speak at Queen's Park after challenging federal, provincial bills
Headlines Latest News Podcasts (new window) CBC News is livestreaming the news conference here Nine First Nations in Ontario are asking a court to declare a pair of federal and provincial laws meant to fast-track infrastructure projects unconstitutional. The First Nations that launched the challenge are set to speak at Queen's Park in Toronto at 10 a.m. ET. Photo: Radio-Canada Nine First Nations in Ontario that launched a constitutional challenge against a pair of federal and provincial laws meant to fast-track infrastructure projects are speaking at Queen's Park on Wednesday. The Indigenous communities said in the legal challenge filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that the federal law known as Bill C-5 and the Ontario law known as Bill 5 both represent a clear and present danger to the First Nations' self-determination rights to ways of life on their territories. CBC News is livestreaming the news conference here. Bill C-5 allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big projects deemed to be in the national interest such as mines, ports and pipelines by sidestepping existing laws, while Ontario's Bill 5 allows its cabinet to suspend provincial and municipal laws through the creation of so-called special economic zones. The First Nations are asking the court for an injunction prohibiting the federal government from naming national interest projects and prohibition Ontario from implementing special economic zones. With files from The Canadian Press Beginning of list of 13 items. Skip list? Wednesday, July 16 Tuesday, July 15 Monday, July 14 End of list of 13 items. Back to beginning of list? Debate touches on deeper issues, like the lingering effects of COVID-19 lockdowns PM says there's 'not a lot of evidence right now' that U.S. is willing to cut deal without some tariffs Pace of inflation increased after holding steady at 1.7% in May 18 hours ago Economic Indicators CBS will air the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, comedian Nate Bargatze slated to host Ont. court hears Marvin Watson got 'stuck' in criminal activity, arrest his only way out 19 hours ago Trials & Proceedings
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Toronto man in $36M cross-border drug operation sentenced in Windsor to 16 years in prison
A Toronto man sentenced on Tuesday for his involvement in a $36-million cross border cocaine and meth operation told Windsor, Ont., court he needed to get arrested as a way out of the criminal activity. Superior Court Justice Paul Howard sentenced Marvin Watson to 16 years in prison, which was a joint submission by the Crown and defence. The time behind bars will amount to 14 years and five months after deducting time served, crowded jail conditions and strict bail rules. The 32-year-old expressed remorse while speaking briefly to the judge. "I don't want anybody to think I'm just some money-hungry guy. I just got myself in a situation and thought the best way to get out was to get arrested," said Watson, who didn't have a prior criminal record. In September, Watson pleaded guilty to: Importing meth and cocaine. Two counts of possession of meth for the purpose of trafficking. Laundering proceeds of crime. Possessing property obtained by a crime. In January, Howard allowed the sentencing to be delayed until July because Watson was about to become a first-time dad. The woman carrying his child, Maria Kiguru, was also part of the criminal drug ring. She pleaded guilty on Sept. 6 to laundering proceeds of crime and was given a conditional sentence of two years. CBSA found meth at Windsor-Michigan bridge It all started in March 2023 when Canada Border Services Agency officers found 300 kg of meth inside a semi-truck at the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit. RCMP began an investigation and later found 120 kg of cocaine inside a van they said Watson was driving. More drugs were found at a residence. "There's no fentanyl. There's no heroin. There's no guns or weapons of any kind," said defence lawyer Frank Retar in court on Tuesday. Both sides also agreed that Watson was more than a courier in the drug operation, but less than a mastermind Retar shed some light in court on how Watson got started in the drug industry, pointing to difficult employment opportunities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Retar said his client "innocently enough" began in the "marijuana distribution business." Loads of cannabis would come from California and would be pressed in Watson's home, Retar said. 'Arrested or what's the other alternative' At one point, there was a theft, and Retar said Watson became "indebted" to the person who was giving him direction. Eventually, the operation evolved in Watson handling harder drugs, such as cocaine and meth. "He was stuck," said Retar. "Arrested or what's the other alternative. "It's a sad commentary when an accused has to say I had to get arrested so I would be able to continue and hopefully be released from custody and live my life with my family."
CBC
4 days ago
- CBC
Toronto man in $36M cross-border drug operation sentenced in Windsor to 16 years in prison
A Toronto man sentenced on Tuesday for his involvement in a $36-million cross border cocaine and meth operation told Windsor, Ont., court he needed to get arrested as a way out of the criminal activity. Superior Court Justice Paul Howard sentenced Marvin Watson to 16 years in prison, which was a joint submission by the Crown and defence. The time behind bars will amount to 14 years and five months after deducting time served, crowded jail conditions and strict bail rules. The 32-year-old expressed remorse while speaking briefly to the judge. "I don't want anybody to think I'm just some money-hungry guy. I just got myself in a situation and thought the best way to get out was to get arrested," said Watson, who didn't have a prior criminal record. In September, Watson pleaded guilty to: Importing meth and cocaine. Two counts of possession of meth for the purpose of trafficking. Laundering proceeds of crime. Possessing property obtained by a crime. In January, Howard allowed the sentencing to be delayed until July because Watson was about to become a first-time dad. The woman carrying his child, Maria Kiguru, was also part of the criminal drug ring. She pleaded guilty on Sept. 6 to laundering proceeds of crime and was given a conditional sentence of two years. CBSA found meth at Windsor-Michigan bridge It all started in March 2023 when Canada Border Services Agency officers found 300 kg of meth inside a semi-truck at the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit. RCMP began an investigation and later found 120 kg of cocaine inside a van they said Watson was driving. More drugs were found at a residence. "There's no fentanyl. There's no heroin. There's no guns or weapons of any kind," said defence lawyer Frank Retar in court on Tuesday. Both sides also agreed that Watson was more than a courier in the drug operation, but less than a mastermind Retar shed some light in court on how Watson got started in the drug industry, pointing to difficult employment opportunities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Retar said his client "innocently enough" began in the "marijuana distribution business." Loads of cannabis would come from California and would be pressed in Watson's home, Retar said. 'Arrested or what's the other alternative' At one point, there was a theft, and Retar said Watson became "indebted" to the person who was giving him direction. Eventually, the operation evolved in Watson handling harder drugs, such as cocaine and meth. "He was stuck," said Retar. "Arrested or what's the other alternative.
CTV News
4 days ago
- CTV News
Toronto man sentenced to 16 years in prison for smuggling $13M in drugs across Windsor-Detroit border
The Ambassador Bridge as seen from Windsor, Ont. on June 3, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) A Toronto man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for smuggling $13 million in drugs across the Windsor-Detroit border. Marvin Watson, 32, previously pleaded guilty to five drug-related charges including possession of cocaine and crystal methamphetamine. In March 2023, $13 million in drugs was found 'hidden' in a transport truck by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at secondary inspection for the Ambassador Bridge, according to the RCMP. During a hearing Tuesday in Windsor, Watson's lawyer told the court his client started out by selling marijuana during the pandemic. His role morphed into something bigger Frank Retar told Justice J.P. Howard. 'He was the courier, not something more than that,' the lawyer said, noting Watson is not a drug user. 'It's a crime of profit,' Retar said. Watson told the court he didn't intend for anyone to be hurt and was trying to care for his family. 'I just wanted my family safe, so I made the decision to keep going,' Watson said Tuesday. 'I just got myself into a situation and I thought the best way to get out was to get arrested.' 'I don't want anybody to think I'm just some money hungry guy.' Watson's spouse, Maria Kiguru was also charged by the RCMP, and she pleaded guilty in September 2024 to laundering proceeds of crime. She was sentenced to two years less a day house arrest. Court delays sentencing for baby Watson's sentencing was originally scheduled for January 2025, but it was delayed at the request of the defence, and approval of the court, so he could witness the birth of his first biological child born in May. 'I would like to thank you, for granting me the time to be there with my family for when my baby was born. That means a lot.' Watson said to Justice Howard. Joint sentence request Retar and federal prosecutor Surinder Singh Aujla presented Justice Howard with a joint submission on sentencing. They asked for a 'global sentence' of 16 years in prison for Watson. He served more than 200 days in pre-trial custody during which time he was under lockdown for more than 30 days and was in a cell with three inmates for more than 50 days. Watson was given credit for that custody, which brought his final sentence down to 14 years and five months left to serve. Justice Howard described the sentence as 'significant' but not 'at the upper most level'. Watson was immediately taken into custody to serve his punishment.
