A Hells Angel associate convicted of trying to smuggle half a tonne of cocaine into Canada was “a bumbler” with no experience in dealing with cocaine, his lawyer said Friday.

Ian Donaldson told a B.C. Supreme Court sentencing hearing for Kevin Van Kalkeren that his client was simply bragging to undercover police officers when he claimed he had previously exchanged large amounts of marijuana for cocaine in the U.S.

Donaldson claimed that while Van Kalkeren had some experience growing marijuana, “he insists that prior to this case, he never ever had anything to do with cocaine.”

And Donaldson said the $4 million Van Kalkeren handed over to police in a reverse sting in 2012 was not all his cash.

He “assembled investors,” Donaldson said, though added: “yes, some of the money was his.”

Van Kalkeren pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy to import cocaine.

He could get an 18 year jail term.

But Donaldson told Justice Carol Ross that Van Kalkeren deserves extra credit for the 45 months he has spent in pre-trial custody, all of it in isolation.

He suggested double-time credit would be appropriate in this case given that Van Kalkeren’s Charter rights were violated by the conditions in which he was held.

And Donaldson also said Van Kalkeren should not be subjected to a longer period before becoming eligible to apply for parol.

With thanks to Kim Bolan, Vancouver Sun