Officer Sean Moxham

The defendant was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking contrary to s.5(3)(a) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and possession of money exceeding $5,000 derived from an indictable offence contrary to s.355(a) of the Criminal Code.

Following a trial conducted as a blended hearing, the court found that police had reasonable and probable grounds to arrest the defendant based on confidential informant information and surveillance observations.

The defendant was found to be in possession of all cocaine found in his vehicle and residence for the purpose of trafficking.

However, the Crown failed to prove possession of more than $5,000 derived from drug trafficking.

The defendant was convicted on count one and convicted of the lesser included offence on count two.

The offender pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police found 200 grams of cocaine, cash, and drug paraphernalia in a safe in his bedroom.

The offender was a 24-year-old first-time offender who had complied with bail conditions and made significant rehabilitative efforts, including completing his electrician apprenticeship.

The court imposed a 12-month conditional sentence, finding that exceptional mitigating circumstances warranted a sentence outside the usual range, balancing denunciation and deterrence with rehabilitation.