The Crown applied under s. 490(3) of the Criminal Code for a further detention order for 32 computer servers seized during the execution of search warrants in a large-scale investigation into online distribution of child pornography.
The investigation involved an extensive network of RAID-configured servers hosting massive volumes of data, more than 60,000 global users, encrypted files, and international financial transactions.
Evidence established that the technical architecture required specialized forensic infrastructure and multinational cooperation to analyze the data and identify offenders and victims.
The respondent argued the investigation had not progressed quickly enough to justify further detention.
The court held that the investigation was exceptionally complex within the meaning of s. 490(3) and that the police had acted diligently.
Continued detention of the seized servers was therefore warranted.
