A Hanna man received a 45-day sentence for possession of a small amount of pot and stolen property.
Patrick Wells appeared in provincial court in Drumheller on Friday, May 10. He pleaded guilty to theft under $5,000 and simple possession of marijuana.
The court heard how on May 4 at 1:30 a.m. Hanna RCMP observed a vehicle leaving a dealership in Hanna. Wells was behind the wheel and police observed a catalytic converter in the vehicle. A further search revealed the marijuana.
The court heard the catalytic converter was not attached to a vehicle at the dealership, but had been returned as a warranty item.
Catalytic converters are expensive to replace and also have a high value because of the precious metals used in their construction. RCMP detachments in Alberta have issued a number of press statements about the practice of stealing the emission control devices.
Wells was sentence by Judge Grieve to 45 days for the theft, but was given credit for the six days he was behind bars awaiting his court date, leaving 39 to be served. He also received a seven-day sentence for the drug possession, to be served concurrently.
