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TID Board Of Directors
- Aug 11, 2010
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A Hamilton bodybuilder at the centre of a massive methamphetamine and anabolic steroid bust has been sentenced to five years.
Reiner Ruska, 36, who owned the Herc’s Nutrition store on Upper James and the Premier Nutrition in Grimsby, pleaded guilty Friday on four charges related to trafficking cocaine and anabolic steroids, as well as possessing more than $70,000 from trafficking.
Ruska was the centre of Project Newton, an 18-month multiple police agency investigation that involved the raids of homes and businesses in nine municipalities and resulted in the arrest of 21 people last year.
The bodybuilder faced 18 charges related to the investigation, but the Crown withdrew all the charges except for the four.
Ruska’s defence lawyer David Rose and federal prosecutor Lisa Matthews had made a joint submission asking for a five-year penitentiary sentence.
In court Friday, Justice Richard Jennis said Ruska’s plea of guilty to the four charges was a “strong indication” for remorse and noted the bodybuilder has no former record and has the skills for future lawful employment.
Ruska’s fiancée, Carla Rao, faced drug-related offences in connection to the Project Newtown raids, but those charges were also withdrawn.
Ruska was released on $100,000 bail last April and was ordered to live at his mother’s .
Ruska’s family members declined to comment after the sentence Friday.
Last September, Trevor Armstrong, 25, of Grimsby pleaded guilty to possession of steroids for the purpose of trafficking.
Armstrong was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.
