Rita-Jean Maxwell

The accused was convicted after trial of possession of MDA and methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, unlawful production of MDA, and unlawful production of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police discovered a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in the basement of the accused's home, containing 23 kilograms of finished methamphetamine and 3.2 kilograms of MDA with a combined street value between $1.4 and $3.2 million.

The accused, a first-time offender, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment less credit for pre-sentence custody and restrictive bail conditions, resulting in a net sentence of seven years and three months.

Concurrent sentences were imposed on the other counts.

A firearms prohibition order and DNA order were also imposed.

The accused was charged with possession of MDA and methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and unlawful production after police found a drug laboratory in the basement of his leased residence.

The accused brought a Charter application challenging the search warrants, which was dismissed as the court found sufficient grounds based on intercepted communications linking him to a drug distribution network.

At trial, the accused denied knowledge of the drugs, claiming he rented the basement to a third party.

The court rejected his testimony as implausible and found that the Crown proved constructive possession and production beyond a reasonable doubt.