Canadian musician who led 'simple life' gets 15 years for smuggling 12.2 kg of heroin
Oppong-Kyereme immigrated to Canada when he was 17 years old to live with his father, stepmother and their two children, said the decision. 'He became a Canadian citizen in 2003. Unfortunately, he did not get along with his stepmother and moved out when he was 18 years old.'
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Oppong-Kyereme has worked for himself and an employer, but a 2023 car accident sidelined him. 'He is currently receiving insurance benefits as a result of the accident and draws on student loans that he has received,' said the decision.
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Oppong-Kyereme, who finished high school in Canada, 'recently completed an online course on cyber security and hopes to work in this area,' it said.
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Oppong-Kyereme is also a musician, said the decision. 'He writes and performs Afrobeats, reggae and high life (a genre specific to Ghana). He made his first professional recording in Ghana in 2010. At times he receives compensation for his music, depending on what platform his music is streamed on.'
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Oppong-Kyereme 'has a few good friends who describe him as quiet, humble and supportive,' said the decision. 'His friends agree he was taken advantage of by his trusting nature. His sister was very surprised by the charges as he was never involved in anything like that before. Mr. Oppong-Kyereme blames his easy-going personality for being 'stupid' as he stated, and trusting his friend in Malawi who asked him to take his suitcases to Canada.'
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Before the smuggling conviction, his criminal record consisted of one impaired driving conviction from a decade back.
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The Crown argued Oppong-Kyereme should get 16 years behind bars. His lawyer suggested a sentence of 10 years would be more appropriate.
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The judge noted heroin's 'addictive' and 'destructive' nature.
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'Heroin trafficking has been described as a 'despicable' crime and one that tears at the very fabric of our society,' Fowler Byrne said.
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