Former Winnipeg bagel shop owner sentenced to over 4 years for possessing proceeds of crime linked to drugs
The former owner of a Winnipeg bagel shop apologized for the role he played in a high-level drug operation in court on Wednesday, before being taken into custody to begin serving a prison sentence of more than four years.
“I truly apologize to the community and the harm that I affected. I’m really apologetic to my family and all the hurt and pain that I’ve caused,” Chris Silva said in a quiet voice from the prisoner’s box before Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Justice Shauna McCarthy.
“Giving back to the community is what I truly want to do,” he said. “That’s my purpose.”
Silva, now 49, was handed a sentence of four years and three months based on a joint recommendation from Crown and defence lawyers, after he pleaded guilty to possessing the proceeds of crime over $5,000 in September.
He arrived at court Wednesday with a small group of supporters, who remained in the courtroom gallery as Silva was escorted away by sheriffs and taken into custody following his sentencing.
The update comes more than two years after allegations he was a high-ranking member of a drug trafficking network came to light, when Manitoba’s director of criminal property forfeiture filed a court document seeking to seize money from Silva and Hudson Bagels, the Sherbrook Street business he owned with his wife, alleging the funds came from illegal activity.
Federal prosecutor Kirsty Elgert told court on Wednesday the Crown’s position is that Silva “was a participant in a high-level drug trafficking organization here in Manitoba.”
“The evidence obtained by police from his residence, and also through the use of surveillance, shows that he was an important part of this operation and handled significant amounts of cash,” Elgert said.
Silva’s lawyer, Eric Wach, described his client as a hard worker with “a very entrepreneurial spirit” who previously completed a business administration diploma and grew a mall kiosk into a successful store.
Wach said Silva realizes now that his involvement with the drug operation was “a huge mistake.”
“With respect to this behaviour, this conduct, the crimes that Mr. Silva’s been involved in, he’s extremely remorseful for his involvement in the drug trade,” Wach said. “He realizes that this wasn’t just one bad choice — this was a series of bad choices, the wrong priorities, the wrong outlook.”
Cocaine, cash found during search of home
Court previously heard Silva, who was charged in December 2022, first came on police radar when a vehicle he owned was seen in July 2022 meeting with one of two men believed to be running a drug network police were investigating.
In the following months, Silva was on one occasion seen meeting with the same man, Biniam Fitur, in a Southdale mall parking lot and receiving a gift bag with roughly $40,000 in it.
Court records show Fitur was sentenced to eight years in prison in April after pleading guilty to trafficking a controlled substance.
On another day, Silva sent a package containing about $95,000 to British Columbia under a false name, Elgert previously read from an agreed statement of facts.
The 18-month investigation, dubbed Project Onyx, eventually led to a number of searches, including one at Silva’s home in December 2022 that found two kilograms of cocaine in his garage and thousands of dollars in cash.
Just over $7,000 of that money was seized by the civil property forfeiture unit, court heard.
Project Onyx began in summer 2021, after police got information from confidential informants about a high-level, Manitoba-based drug trafficking network run by two “close criminal associates” that was importing large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine into Manitoba, court heard.
The investigation involved a number of warrants that allowed police to covertly enter homes, vehicles and luggage, intercept more than 19,000 private communications, install video surveillance in homes, stash houses and vehicles and track cellphones.
It led to the arrest of 13 people, as police seized several luxury vehicles and confiscated more than 75 kilograms of illegal drugs they said were part of a network that imported large amounts of cocaine from Ontario and methamphetamine and MDMA from British Columbia.
Parents ‘must be devastated,’ judge says
Justice McCarthy said it was clear Silva’s involvement in the drug operation “wasn’t something that you had just dipped your toe in,” given how much money he was handling.
She also commented on the effect of Silva’s actions on his family, who court heard includes two adult daughters and his parents, who immigrated to Winnipeg in the 1970s from Brazil and Trinidad, respectively.
“I can’t help but think when I hear the facts of this that your parents must be devastated, having immigrated to another country to start a better life for their family — this would not be what they had in mind,” McCarthy said.
“You have what’s described as an entrepreneurial spirit. You have an education, business experience. You chose the wrong business, and I hope very much for your sake and for that of your children, who you set an example for, that when this sentence is finished and you’re done serving it, that you will take an entirely different approach.”
Court heard previously the bagel shop is now owned entirely by Silva’s partner, whose charges were stayed after she was arrested as part of the investigation in February 2023.
Other charges against Silva for trafficking and possession for the purposes of trafficking were stayed on Wednesday. He was also given a 10-year weapons ban and ordered to provide a DNA sample.
View original article here Source
KRKC&CO Men’s Chain Necklace, 14K Gold Plated Stainless Steel Cuban Link Chains 2/3/4/5mm, Anti-Tarnish Nickel-Free Flat-Cut, Thin Gold chain Silver Chain for Man Unisex
$17.99 (as of February 12, 2025 18:59 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
CDE Infinity Heart Symbol Charm Link Bracelet for Women 925 Sterling Silver Stainless Steel Adjustable Anniversary Jewelry Christmas Birthday Gifts for Women Wife Girlfriend Her
$54.99 (as of February 12, 2025 18:59 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Cozy Friends: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Super Cute Animal Characters with Easy and Simple Designs for Relaxation
(as of February 12, 2025 18:59 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil, Nourishing Tinted Lip Oil For A High-shine Finish, Infused With Jojoba Oil, Vegan & Cruelty-free, Rose Envy
$7.74 (as of February 12, 2025 18:59 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Eyelash Mascara Makeup, Volumizing, Lengthening, Defining, Curling, Multiplying, Buildable Formula, Very Black, 7.2 ml
$10.09 (as of February 12, 2025 18:59 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Kleenex® Professional Facial Tissue (21400), 2-Ply, White, Flat Facial Tissue Boxes for Business (100 Tissues/Box, 36 Boxes/Case, 3,600 Tissues/Case)
$90.25 (as of February 12, 2025 18:59 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
14K Gold Plated 925 Sterling Silver Earrings Small Chunky Silver Earrings for Women Trendy Small Hoop Earrings Silver Hypoallergenic Earrings Small Thick Huggie Hoops Earrings
$12.59 (as of February 12, 2025 18:59 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Girl Moments: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Cute Cozy Daily Activities for Relaxation
$11.48 (as of February 12, 2025 18:59 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon.ca eGift Card (Instant Email or Text Delivery)
$40.00 (as of February 12, 2025 18:59 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)