2014 Drug Cases

On October 21, 2011 a uniformed member of the RCMP observed an eastbound vehicle on Highway #1 just east of Swift Current. PS was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle and according to the constable he decided to conduct a traffic stop to check for license/vehicle particulars and driver sobriety/fatigue. TRANSLATION: this was a classic Pipeline/Interdiction roadside stop. Well. . . one thing led to another other, officers were summoned to the scene, a police service dog was …

In March 2010 members of the Calgary Police Service (CPS) were involved in an undercover operation called “Dances with Wolves” during which they targeted a so-called dial-a-dope drug trafficking ring. The police engaged in multiple undercover purchases of cocaine and one of the traffickers lead the police to residential premises associated with MAG. According to the police those residential premises operated as a “stash” house. After extensive surveillance on the targeted premises the police obtained a warrant to search the …

In August 2012 members of the Calgary Police Service (CPS) Operations Team were involved in a dial-a-dope operation entitled “ECHO”. The police conducted extensive surveillance during which our client was observed engaged in multiple meets of short duration consistent with (according to the police) drug transactions. Surveillance also led the police to believe that the residential premises of GR were being used as a “stash” house. As a consequence of the foregoing the police detained and searched GR after observing …

In January 2013 members of the “Green Team South” received a crime stoppers tip that a marijuana grow operation may exist at specified residential premises. The police thereafter conducted an in-depth investigation involving surveillance and the installation of two Digital Recording Ammeters (DRAs) to the power lines supplying the residence. According to the police the DRA results depicted a pattern of power consumption consistent with a marijuana grow operation. The police obtained and executed a warrant to search the premises …

JON was the proprietor of a business which (according to the police) sold items used for the consumption of illegal drugs including marijuana pipes, bongs, bud grinders, vaporizers, digital weigh scales, packaging and scent proof containers. The police targeted this “head-shop” and after a number of attendances on the business premises for investigative purposes they sought a warrant to search for drug related items. Subsequent to those seizures JON was charged with two counts of selling instruments intended for the …

DHD arrived in Calgary from Vancouver on a Greyhound bus. Undercover police “profiled” DHD and confronted him in the bus station lobby. A scripted Q&A followed which lead to a so-called “consent” search of his checked bag. The search revealed the presence of approximately 220 individually wrapped pieces of crack cocaine. DHD was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. We rejected the Crown’s unsolicited offer of a 2 year jail term. Bottom Line: the …

RCMP received information that MIR was selling marijuana in Airdrie. The police conducted surveillance on MIR and he was observed to be engaged in meetings of short duration which were consistent (according to the police) with drug trafficking. The police arrested one of the persons who met with MIR and seized from that person a quantity of marijuana. That person readily provided the police with a statement implicating MIR as a seller/trafficker of marijuana. The police immediately thereafter arrested MIR. …

CAAM was the target of a sophisticated well conducted investigation by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (“ALERT”) involving members of the Calgary Police Service and the RCMP. CAAM was observed during the course of surveillance to be engaged in activity which (according to the police) was consistent with moving large quantities of cocaine. Investigators waited for the right moment, moved in and found CAAM in possession of 5 kilograms of cocaine (with an estimated street value of $250,000.00) in …

An unstable adult male purchased a rifle from a local firearms dealer and thereafter used that firearm to commit suicide. The police conducted an investigation germane to the suicide and traced the firearm back to the local dealer. The police determined that the dealer did not have the lawful authority (ie: a “PAL”) to acquire and sell firearms nor did that person confirm that the purchaser (deceased) was authorized to receive it. During intensive police interrogation of the dealer he …

ASR was driving a vehicle on Highway #1 near Lake Louise when he was pulled over by the RCMP for having a “dirty license plate”. TRANSLATION: this was a classic Pipeline Drug Interdiction profiling stop. After engaging ASR in a scripted Q&A and making a number of observations of purported investigative significance (rental car, heightened nervousness, messy car interior) the police ran ASR on the system and discovered that he had been charged years ago (but never convicted) of trafficking. …

On January 10, 2012 members of the Calgary Police Service and the RCMP attended the Calgary International Airport where they intercepted luggage that had just arrived on a flight from Vancouver. The suitcase was searched and found to contain multiple kilograms of cocaine valued (according to the police) at $1,200,000.00. The police sampled the seizure and then placed the luggage back on the conveyer belt for passenger retrieval. According to the police, NTC was later observed at the airport in ...

In this joint forces (CPS and RCMP) operation the police conducted extensive surveillance in Vancouver and Calgary which ultimately resulted in the stopping of a freightliner (18 wheeler) and a sedan operated by PKH in Calgary. Both vehicles were searched by the police. The freightliner was found to contain approximately $140,000.00 cash; the vehicle operated by PKH was found to contain multiple kilograms of cocaine valued (according to the police) at $1,100,000.00. PKH was arrested and charged with possession of ...

JHM was the target of an undercover operation entitled “Heavyweight”. During the course of the operation JHM sold cocaine to an undercover officer on 9 occasions over the course of a four month period. The amounts sold ranged from an “eight-ball” to half ounces. A search of JHM’s vehicle revealed the presence of approximately 1 ounce of cocaine separated into 16 baggies. A search of the residence of JHM revealed the presence of an additional 200 grams of cocaine, 170 …

While partying hard at a casino XXX decided to continue the festivities in a stall of the men’s washroom. Casino security hit the stall door and seized from XXX a quantity of cocaine and oxycodone. Casino security held XXX until the police arrived. The police charged XXX with two counts of possession of a controlled substance. XXX’s career as a professional firefighter was (no pun intended) on the line. Bottom Line: through the efforts of Patrick Fagan arrangements were made …

The police conducted an investigation into a suspected residential marijuana grow operation. The investigation included ongoing surveillance, British Columbia hydro records, communication with Health Canada and FLIR examination of the heat signatures emanating from the residence. The police sought and obtained a warrant to search the home of SR. A search revealed the presence of a sophisticated three stage marijuana grow operation which (according to the police) would yield annual monetary returns of approximately $300,000.00. When the police kicked in …

LHR was charged with importing into Canada from the United States multiple vials of anabolic steroids contrary to section 6 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Through the efforts of Patrick Fagan this most serious prosecution never made it to court.

As a consequence of information received from a confidential source the RCMP conducted an investigation relative to a potential residential marijuana grow operation in rural Saskatchewan. The RCMP ultimately obtained a warrant to search the home and upon entry observed CCC, another male and three pit bulls in the living room. After securing the pit bulls and arresting the male occupants the police searched the home and found approximately 200 plants in an upstairs bedroom and a sophisticated marijuana grow …

JHX passed a marked patrol car in his Cadillac while smoking a “joint”. Not surprisingly, the police stopped JHX whereupon they immediately detected the overwhelming scent of cannabis marijuana. JHX was arrested and a subsequent search of the Caddy revealed multiple packages of powder and rock cocaine; 3 cellular phones and cash were found on JHX. The cellular phone, which rang constantly, was answered by the police who then engaged the callers in drug related conversations. JHX was charged with …

The RCMP were dispatched to assist the US Border Patrol in pursuit of an SUV that was ostensibly trying to cross into Canada illegally. During the pursuit the SUV crashed leaving behind approximatley10 kilograms of cocaine valued (according to the police) at around a million ($1,000,000.00) dollars. All occupants of the SUV fled the scene prior to the police attendance. The next day the RCMP responded to a suspicious persons complaint and located HIK under a bridge not too far …

The police attended the scene of a minor residential fire. The firefighters, who had already cleared the residence, informed the police that they had observed a number of items associated with illegal drug use. The police entered the residence (without a warrant) and observed what they believed to be a substantial quantity of drug paraphernalia. The police left the residence and proceeded to interrogate JCL outside the home. JCL refused to cooperate with the police so they re-entered the home …