Recent Drug Cases
2023
3 accused all jointly charged with conspiracy to traffic, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine , 6 firearms, and more than $170,000 in cash in Kelowna. During the two month trial the two accused pled guilty with one receiving 13 years, one received 4 years and the trial ended when my client received a plea offer of 2 years.
2023
Client and another facing allegations of drug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of guns and cash after a lengthy complex police investigation in Fort St. John including a significant undercover purchase of cocaine. Police raided both homes after obtaining a warrant and seized large quantities of drugs, multiple firearms and a significant amount of cash. After possessing the seized items for 90 days the police were obliged to seek a court order to continue to lawfully possess those items. After a disputed application by the police under section 490 of the Criminal Code, the learned Provincial Court Judge sitting in Fort St. John refused the police’s application and order all items to either be destroyed or returned to the accused including nearly $18,000 in police buy money to one of the accused. Clearly with no evidence the two accused could no longer be prosecuted.
Charged in the B.C. Interior with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking
T. N. (2019) – Client charged in the B.C. Interior with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking when a large quantity of a controlled substance and thousands of dollars of cash were discovered after a traffic stop at midnight on the Trans Canada Highway.
CASE FACTS
The matter went before the Provincial court and after a preliminary inquiry; the matter went to the Kamloops Supreme Court of B.C. for trial. Midway through the trial, Crown Counsel elects a stay of proceedings
RESULT
All charges dropped
Charged in the Fraser Valley for operating a large scale narcotic manufacturing lab
A. S. (2019) – Client and the co-accused were charged in the Fraser Valley for operating a large scale narcotic manufacturing lab. The Police got tip, which lead to surveillance. This surveillance led to a search warrant.
CASE FACTS
Following a preliminary inquiry in the provincial court, the matter proceeded to trial in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. As a result of numerous pre-trial applications by Crown Counsel relating to disclosure, they decided to enter a stay of proceedings. The matter was fought for over two years in and out of court.
RESULT
All charges dropped
Accused charged with Dial-A-Dope operation
Langley RCMP performed surveillance on 8 accused over an extended period of time. Accused was identified on video surveillance selling to undercover officers.
CASE FACTS
Following a preliminary inquiry, client’s charges were stayed after crown was convinced there was insufficient evidence to proceed against client at trial.
RESULT
All Charges stayed for Tom Doust’s client only.
Accused charged with unlawfully producing a controlled substance (marijuana) and possession for the purpose of trafficking
Langley RCMP responded to a report by a potential property buyer that the accused and three other males were in a barn on a vacant property that was for sale. RCMP attended and witnessed males running off the property. Langley RCMP noticed a strong odour of growing marijuana coming from the barn. It was estimated at trial to be approximately 2000 pounds of marijuana.
CASE FACTS
Crown decided shortly before the trial not to proceed after counsel convinced them they weren’t likely to succeed at trial.
RESULT
All charges stayed.