Young Akwesasne woman sentenced to prison

Two women without previous criminal records were sentenced to prison last week in a Quebec courtroom.

Sherry Darling, 22 and Jody Lazore, 23 both of Akwesasne, were arrested in 2006 during the massive drug-ring dismantling called Project Colisee.

Darling and Lazore were arrested for their role in a cross-border drug transaction. According to authorities, marijuana was grown in Quebec and then transported to Cornwall. Darling and Lazore are accused of picking up the drugs in Cornwall and driving it to a buyer in the state of Florida.

“It is my regret to sentence two young people with no criminal record to long prison terms,” said Judge Michel Duceppe of Laval, Quebec

Darling received a sentence equivalent to 30 months in prison while Lazore received a sentence equivalent to 18 months in prison.

The women were among 80 individuals targeted during Project Colisee.

Judge Duceppe blamed “rich criminal organizations” for using young individuals like Lazore and Darling to make them more money.

Most of the others charged during the operation have already been sentenced. Some were ordered to spend as long as six years in prison.