J. Piszczek

The accused was charged with multiple firearms and drug trafficking offences following the execution of a search warrant at a basement apartment.

The police found the accused attempting to escape through a bedroom window, outside of which they located a jacket containing a loaded handgun.

Inside the bedroom, police found fentanyl, cocaine, cash, digital scales, and cell phones.

The court found the circumstantial evidence, including text messages, photos, and the accused's exclusive occupation of the bedroom, proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused was in possession of the loaded handgun and possessed the drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

The accused was convicted on all counts.

The accused, facing charges of dangerous driving and trafficking large quantities of fentanyl, underwent a detention review under s. 525 of the Criminal Code.

The accused argued that the passage of time, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a new release plan constituted material changes in circumstances warranting his release.

The court found insufficient evidence that the accused was at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19 or suffering severe harm from it in custody.

Furthermore, the proposed release plan lacked sufficient detail to address the significant secondary and tertiary ground concerns arising from the severity of the offences.

The court ordered the accused's continued detention.