Brother-in-law of Idol winner faces 17-year sentence

A mid to upper level Hamilton drug dealer, related to Canadian Idol winner Brian Melo, faces up to 17-years in prison for drug charges.

Justin Bernard pleaded guilty in April after selling an undercover officer 12 kilograms of crystal meth, and being in possession of another 14 kilograms. The value of the drugs was estimated at $700,000.

Bernard was arrested as part of Project Newton, an operation involving multiple police services during an 18-month long investigation, which netted one of the largest seizures of methamphetamine in the province’s history.

Melo is the younger brother of Bernard’s wife.