A young Black man from Ottawa who was arrested in Pembroke and later pled guilty to charges of possession of cocaine and a loaded firearm will serve two years of probation after spending a year and a half in jail awaiting trial.
Dayquon Zulu was 21 at the time of his sentencing in September this year, but was just 19 when he was arrested with three other individuals from Ottawa on May 23, 2024.
He entered guilty pleas to his two charges on November 27, 2025. His sentencing hearings were held in July and September of 2026 before Ontario Superior Court Justice Narissa Somji.
Zulu was represented in court by defence counsel Neil Weinstein, while the case was prosecuted by Assistant Crown Attorney Sara Buder.
In court, Weinstein argued that based on the length and “particularly harsh conditions” of Zulu’s pre-trial detention, as well as the strict conditions of his release and his life circumstances, he should be sentenced to no more than a term of probation.
However, Buder argued that, based on the sentencing range for firearms offences, the seriousness of his charges, and Zulu’s lengthy youth record of 21 criminal convictions dating back to 2014, a sentence of a further 2.7 years in custody would be appropriate.
Zulu had been in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC) from the time of his arrest – May 23, 2024 – to the time of his guilty plea – November 27, 2025 – a period of 555 days, or 1.5 years.
Since pleading guilty to his charges, Zulu has been living under strict bail conditions with his grandmother and aunt.
In her ruling, Justice Somji noted that there were several aggravating factors in Zulu’s case.
He was arrested in 2024 after police were tipped off that a black Acura containing four occupants with a handgun were travelling from Cobden to Pembroke.
Police located the vehicle and conducted a “high-risk” takedown.
During a search of the vehicle, police found a loaded Glock 19 handgun with its serial number filed off in the glove compartment, along with a bag containing 28 grams of cocaine.
Police also located phones, a digital scale, and balaclavas in the front passenger seat, an additional phone, purse, $50 cash and prescription drugs in the back, and a black backpack containing a firearm with a magazine of 11 rounds, a scale, and ski masks in the trunk of the car…
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