The three accused were charged with firearms and drug offences following a vehicle stop.
They brought Charter applications alleging breaches of ss. 8, 9, 10(a), and 10(b).
The Crown argued the stop was a valid dual-purpose stop under the Highway Traffic Act.
The court found the officers' testimony lacked credibility and that the HTA rationale was a pretext for an unlawful criminal investigation.
The court concluded the accused were arbitrarily detained and subjected to unreasonable searches.
Given the seriousness of the breaches and the finding that the officers misled the court, the evidence was excluded under s. 24(2) of the Charter, resulting in acquittals.
