The appellants, Floriano Sylvester Daponte and Vivian Lee Hamilton, appealed their joint convictions for drug trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.

The convictions stemmed from a search of their farm property where a large quantity of drugs and cash were found.

The appellants argued the trial judge erred in assessing an alternative suspect (Mr. Colpaert), finding his access to the residence speculative, and improperly using their failure to testify.

The Court of Appeal dismissed Mr. Daponte's appeal, finding the evidence against him cogent and the trial judge's conclusions reasonable.

However, Ms. Hamilton's appeal was allowed, and acquittals were substituted, as there was insufficient evidence to infer her knowledge or control of the buried drugs, and her connection to the drive shed was tenuous.

Thomas Stephens was found guilty of multiple offences including possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a loaded antique firearm, and possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine.

The court considered the Crown's request for a 12-year sentence and the defence's request for 5 years.

The court also addressed the application of Gladue factors, finding insufficient information to link the offender's asserted Indigenous heritage to his moral culpability or appropriate sentencing procedures.

Applying the totality principle, the court imposed a global sentence of 10 years, reduced to 9.5 years with pre-sentence COVID credit, with specific sentences for each offence, emphasizing denunciation and deterrence for firearms and drug trafficking offences.

Jeffrey Chan and Alfred Nhan were charged with importing Fentanyl, attempted possession for trafficking, and possession of proceeds of crime.

The case relied on circumstantial evidence.

The court found insufficient evidence to convict either accused of importing Fentanyl.

Jeffrey Chan was acquitted of all charges, as the Crown failed to prove constructive possession or knowledge of the Fentanyl or proceeds of crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

Alfred Nhan was found guilty of attempted possession of Fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime, based on his agitation when unable to retrieve the package, excitement upon its delivery, fingerprints on cash, and the high value of the drugs and cash found in his residence.

The appellant was convicted of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The trial judge found beyond a reasonable doubt that the apartment was the appellant's residence and that he had knowledge of and control over the cocaine found in the freezer.

On appeal, the appellant contended that the verdict was unreasonable and that one could reasonably infer the apartment was his wife's home and that she alone had knowledge of the cocaine.

The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, finding it was reasonable for the trial judge to conclude that the evidence as a whole excluded all reasonable alternatives to guilt.