A starting point of eight years imprisonment is appropriate for a persistent and recidivist methamphetamine trafficker operating an ongoing commercial enterprise above street-level dealing, having regard to the 10-year maximum for the base trafficking offence. However, a finding of manifest inadequacy does not automatically warrant granting permission on a Crown appeal; the Crown must additionally demonstrate strong reasons of public policy outweighing the double jeopardy interest. Personal circumstances including a debilitating work injury, mental health issues, lack of prior custodial sentences, and the merciful character of the sentence may render the inadequacy an aberration the community will tolerate.
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