The appellant challenged a conviction for importing cocaine under s. 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act after the intermediate appellate court affirmed the conviction over a dissent.
The central issue was whether the trial reasons adequately disclosed the factual basis for finding the required mental element beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Court held that, read in context and as a whole, the trial reasons did not permit effective appellate review of the mens rea finding.
The appeal was allowed and a new trial was ordered.
