To be convicted of drug trafficking, the Crown must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the accused made an offer to an sell, or actually sold a substance prohibited under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The evidence may involve a sale to an undercover police officer or an informant. With more than 25 years of experience on our side, Mines & Company has the ability to defend even the most challenging drug trafficking cases.
In one of our recent successes (R. v. J.L. in Richmond Provincial Court), our client was charged with trafficking cocaine in a dial-a-dope scheme. We went to court and our client was granted a nine-month conditional sentence. No jail time.
While evidence of an offer to sell or an actual drug sale is required for drug trafficking, the requirements for charges of possession for purpose of trafficking (PPT) are not as straightforward. If police find large quantities of marijuana or other drugs, or there is some other indication that the drugs are intended to be trafficked, such as individually bagged quantities or scales, PPT charges will be laid. This is not a lesser charge. The penalties are often the same as those that come with a drug trafficking conviction.
Dial-A-Dope Defence
We conduct cases which involve allegations of “dial-a-dope” operations. Evidence of this type of drug trafficking often involves police surveillance and expert evidence from police witnesses who provide explanations of various trafficking techniques. Of course, evidence is only valuable to the Crown if it was lawfully obtained. We review every case for unlawful search and seizure and seek to exclude all evidence that was unlawfully obtained. We are dedicated to protecting your rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Start With a Free Initial Consultation
To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Vancouver drug trafficking defence lawyers, call 604-688-1460 or contact us via e-mail.