The Crown brought pre-trial applications to admit text messages extracted from a seized cellphone for the truth of their contents and to qualify a police officer as an expert in drug trafficking.
The accused was charged with possession of controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking after police observed suspected drug transactions and seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine from a vehicle.
The court found the text messages were admissible under the principled exception to hearsay, as their content strongly corroborated police surveillance, establishing threshold reliability and necessity.
The court also qualified the officer as an expert, finding his practical experience in the illicit drug trade sufficient despite a lack of formal training.
