Saskatoon pharmacist sentenced to 5 years in prison for drug trafficking

Hannah Spray · CBC News

· Posted: May 26, 2025 5:08 PM EDT | Last Updated: 9 hours ago

The erstwhile proprietor and relation of a Saskatoon pharmacy pleaded blameworthy Monday to trafficking drugs, admitting she illegally sold much than 22,000 oxycodone pills.

Jenna Ternan, 43, was sentenced to 5 years successful situation for what Justice David Gerecke called an "appalling breach of trust" that "led you to harm galore individuals you volition ne'er meet."

He made the comments portion accepting the associated sentencing connection successful Saskatoon Court of King's Bench from the Crown and defence.

According to an agreed connection of facts filed successful court, constabulary started investigating Ternan aft they arrested a antheral successful January 2023 and seized drugs from him that included oxycodone pills and a container with a statement for Northumberland Pharmacy, which Ternan owned and operated.

The man's cellphone besides contained messages betwixt him and Ternan that talked astir exchanging drugs for money.

Police yet determined Ternan sold much than 22,200 pills, valued betwixt $58,000 and $87,400, betwixt September 2022 and January 2023, Crown authoritative Kirsten Janis said successful court.

Ternan was arrested successful March 2023, on with her common-law spouse of 8 years, Elmer Hanson. Hanson was besides charged, but helium died earlier going to trial.

Defence lawyer Will Louison said Ternan "kind of got caught up" successful the cause trafficking and it's been hard for her to pinpoint however it started. He described however Ternan's partner, Hanson, struggled with a cause addiction and had a chronic wounded that affected his quality to enactment — and past Hanson became addicted to the opioids helium had been prescribed.

Ternan supported Hanson financially and employed him astatine the pharmacy aft helium could nary longer enactment successful construction. Hanson besides developed a gambling addiction.

While the cause trafficking was partially Hanson's idea, Ternan accepts her relation and acknowledges what she was doing was wrong, Louison said.

Case instrumentality shows the scope of sentences for pharmacists who postulation drugs is betwixt 3 and 14 years, but the longer sentences person progressive fentanyl, which is considered a much unsafe drug, the justice noted.

Gerecke said the breach of spot is simply a "very weighty factor," but agreed that 5 years was an due sentence.

Minus recognition for her clip connected remand, Ternan has astir 3 years and 11 months near to serve.