R. v. Russell (M.C.) et al., (1999) 27 B.C.T.C. 81 (SC)

JudgeRomilly, J.
CourtSupreme Court of British Columbia (Canada)
Case DateJune 04, 1999
JurisdictionBritish Columbia
Citations(1999), 27 B.C.T.C. 81 (SC)

R. v. Russell (M.C.) (1999), 27 B.C.T.C. 81 (SC)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [1999] B.C.T.C. TBEd. DE.062

Her Majesty the Queen v. Michael Currie Russell, Brooks Farrell Grenfal, Donald Gary McKay, Faizal Ali Venkataya and Ross Mathew Caldwell

(CC981460)

Indexed As: R. v. Russell (M.C.) et al.

British Columbia Supreme Court

Vancouver

Romilly, J.

June 4, 1999.

Summary:

The accused were charged with a number of counts of trafficking in various controlled and restricted drugs and conspiracy to traffic in those drugs. The Crown's case was based on surveillance, wiretap and informant evidence. The Crown's theory was that the accused were involved in two separate conspiracies, one relating to the drug known as Speed and one relating to the drug known as Eve or Ecstacy. The accused applied under ss. 8 and 24(2) of the Charter to exclude certain communications intercepted pursuant to three authorizations obtained during the investigation.

The British Columbia Supreme Court reviewed the authorizations and the evidence obtained and concluded that the evidence obtained (but for certain evidence which was irrelevant) was admissible.

Civil Rights - Topic 1373

Security of the person - Police surveillance - Interception of private communications - See paragraphs 6 to 98.

Civil Rights - Topic 1403

Security of the person - Law enforcement - Search warrants - See paragraphs 6 to 98.

Civil Rights - Topic 8368

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Denial of rights - Remedies - Exclusion of evidence - See paragraphs 101 to 132.

Civil Rights - Topic 8370

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Denial of rights - Remedies - When denied - See paragraphs 95 to 141.

Criminal Law - Topic 3046

Special powers - Search warrants - Validity of - General - See paragraphs 6 to 100.

Criminal Law - Topic 3048

Special powers - Search warrants - Validity of - Severability of partially defective warrant or information - See paragraphs 17 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 3052

Special powers - Search warrants - Effect of defects - See paragraphs 17 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 3095

Special powers - Issue of search warrants - Conditions precedent - Other investigative procedures tried and failed - See paragraphs 85 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 3097

Special powers - Issue of search warrants - Contents of information or application for issue of - See paragraphs 6 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 3106

Special powers - Issue of search warrants - Discretion of judge - See paragraphs 17 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 3113

Special powers - Setting aside search warrants - Scope of review - See paragraphs 17 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 3154

Special powers - Power of search - Evidence obtained - Admission of - See paragraphs 1 to 132.

Criminal Law - Topic 3183

Special powers - Setting aside search warrants - Grounds - Information - Sufficiency of form and content - See paragraphs 17 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 3184

Special powers - Setting aside search warrants - Grounds - Falsehood or misleading statements in sworn information - See paragraphs 17 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 5271

Evidence and witnesses - Interception of private communications - General principles - See paragraphs 6 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 5274

Evidence and witnesses - Interception of private communications - Application for - See paragraphs 17 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 5274.1

Evidence and witnesses - Interception of private communications - Application for - Where application based on informant's statements - See paragraphs 76 to 86.

Criminal Law - Topic 5274.4

Evidence and witnesses - Interception of private communications - Application for - Requirement of investigative necessity - See paragraphs 85 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 5274.5

Evidence and witnesses - Interception of private communications - Application for - Evidence in support - See paragraphs 17 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 5283

Evidence and witnesses - Interception of private communications - Authority for - Judicial review - General - See paragraphs 6 to 98.

Criminal Law - Topic 5283.4

Evidence and witnesses - Interception of private communications - Authority for - Judicial review - Where Charter breach alleged - See paragraphs 6 to 132.

Criminal Law - Topic 5295.3

Evidence and witnesses - Admissibility of private communications - Admissible interceptions - Under "resort to" clause - See paragraphs 57 to 63.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Garofoli et al., [1990] 2 S.C.R. 1421; 116 N.R. 241; 43 O.A.C. 1; 36 Q.A.C. 161; 60 C.C.C.(3d) 161, refd to. [para. 6].

R. v. Hiscock (G.); R. v. Sauvé (P.) (1992), 46 Q.A.C. 263; 72 C.C.C.(3d) 303 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 8].

R. v. Melenchuk (R.) et al. (1993), 24 B.C.A.C. 97; 40 W.A.C. 97 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 9].

Simonyi-Gindele et al. v. Sliter et al. (1991), 2 B.C.A.C. 73; 5 W.A.C. 73 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 10].

R. v. Madrid (L.A.) et al. (1994), 48 B.C.A.C. 271; 78 W.A.C. 271 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 11].

R. v. Morris (W.R.) (1998), 173 N.S.R.(2d) 1; 527 A.P.R. 1 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 11].

R. v. Gill (1980), 56 C.C.C.(2d) 169 (B.C.C.A.), refd to. [para. 13].

R. v. Feeney (M.), [1997] 2 S.C.R. 13; 212 N.R. 83; 91 B.C.A.C. 1; 148 W.A.C. 1; 115 C.C.C.(3d) 129, refd to. [para. 14].

Bâtiments Fafard Inc. et autres v. Canada et autres (1991), 41 Q.A.C. 254 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 17].

R. v. Bisson (J.) et autres (1994), 60 Q.A.C. 173; 87 C.C.C.(3d) 440 (C.A.), affd. [1994] 3 S.C.R. 1097; 173 N.R. 237; 65 Q.A.C. 241; 94 C.C.C.(3d) 94, refd to. [paras. 18, 19].

R. v. Grant (D.), [1993] 3 S.C.R. 223; 159 N.R. 161; 35 B.C.A.C. 1; 57 W.A.C. 1; 84 C.C.C.(3d) 173, refd to. [para. 20].

R. v. Plant (R.S.), [1993] 3 S.C.R. 281; 157 N.R. 321; 145 A.R. 104; 55 W.A.C. 104; 84 C.C.C.(3d) 203, refd to. [para. 21].

R. v. Couture (1998), 129 C.C.C.(3d) 302 (Que. C.A.), refd to. [para. 23].

R. v. Arason (R.H.) and Derosier (G.L.) (1992), 21 B.C.A.C. 20; 37 W.A.C. 20; 78 C.C.C.(3d) 1, refd to. [para. 27].

R. v. Kelly (R.J.), [1994] B.C.J. No. 1490 (S.C.), affd. (1995), 61 B.C.A.C. 119; 100 W.A.C. 119; 99 C.C.C.(3d) 367 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 30].

R. v. Chambers (1983), 9 C.C.C.(3d) 132 (B.C.C.A.), affd. (1986), 67 N.R. 382; 26 C.C.C.(3d) 353 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 31].

R. v. Concepcion (A.) et al. (1994), 48 B.C.A.C. 44; 78 W.A.C. 44 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 31].

R. v. Finlay and Grellette (1985), 11 O.A.C. 279; 23 C.C.C.(3d) 48 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 32].

R. v. Debot, [1989] 2 S.C.R. 1140; 102 N.R. 161; 37 O.A.C. 1; 52 C.C.C.(3d) 193, refd to. [para. 36].

Descoteaux et al. v. Mierzwinski et al., [1982] 1 S.C.R. 860; 44 N.R. 462; 70 C.C.C.(2d) 385, refd to. [para. 37].

Baron et al. v. Minister of National Revenue et al., [1993] 1 S.C.R. 416; 146 N.R. 270; 78 C.C.C.(3d) 510, refd to. [para. 38].

R. v. Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (1992), 77 C.C.C.(3d) 341 (Ont. Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 39].

R. v. Kokesch, [1990] 3 S.C.R. 3; 121 N.R. 161; 61 C.C.C.(3d) 207, refd to. [para. 40].

Southam Inc. v. Hunter, [1984] 2 S.C.R. 145; 55 N.R. 241; 55 A.R. 291; 14 C.C.C.(3d) 97, refd to. [para. 41].

R. v. Jones (G.I.) (1991), 89 Sask.R. 214; 64 C.C.C.(3d) 181 (C.A.), affd. (1993), 150 N.R. 148; 109 Sask.R. 240; 42 W.A.C. 240; 84 C.C.C.(3d) 287 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 44].

Wiens v. R., [1973] 6 W.W.R. 757 (Man. Q.B.), refd to. [para. 45].

R. v. Shayesteh (S.) (1996), 94 O.A.C. 81; 111 C.C.C.(3d) 225 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 49].

R. v. Bernshaw (N.), [1995] 1 S.C.R. 254; 176 N.R. 81; 53 B.C.A.C. 1; 87 W.A.C. 1; 95 C.C.C.(3d) 193, refd to. [para. 49].

R. v. Sanelli, Duarte and Fasciano, [1990] 1 S.C.R. 30; 103 N.R. 86; 37 O.A.C. 322; 53 C.C.C.(3d) 1, refd to. [para. 52].

R. v. Chesson and Vanweenan, [1988] 2 S.C.R. 148; 87 N.R. 115; 90 A.R. 347; 43 C.C.C.(3d) 353, refd to. [para. 53].

R. v. Vrany et al. (1979), 46 C.C.C.(2d) 14 (Ont. C.A.), refd to. [para. 60].

R. v. Thompson et al., [1990] 2 S.C.R. 1111; 114 N.R. 1; 59 C.C.C.(3d) 225, refd to. [para. 61].

R. v. Myers (G.L.) (1993), 126 N.S.R.(2d) 237; 352 A.P.R. 237 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 62].

R. v. Greffe, [1990] 1 S.C.R. 755; 107 N.R. 1; 107 A.R. 1; 55 C.C.C.(3d) 161, refd to. [para. 66].

R. v. Hardy (D.A.) (1994), 45 B.C.A.C. 146; 72 W.A.C. 146 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 67].

Restaurant Le Clémenceau Inc. v. Drouin, J., et al., [1987] 1 S.C.R. 706; 77 N.R. 72; 35 C.C.C.(3d) 381, refd to. [para. 68].

R. v. Turcotte (1987), 60 Sask.R. 289; 39 C.C.C.(3d) 193 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 69].

R. v. Roberts (A.) (1996), 139 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 181; 433 A.P.R. 181 (Nfld. Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 69].

R. v. Driscoll and Laquant (1987), 68 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 86; 209 A.P.R. 86 (Nfld. T.D.), refd to. [para. 69].

United States v. Minis (1982), 666 F.2d 134 (5th Cir.), refd to. [para. 70].

R. v. Boyer, [1992] O.J. No. 3320 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 71].

R. v. Breton (M.) (1994), 74 O.A.C. 99; 93 C.C.C.(3d) 171 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 71].

United States v. Dozier (1987), 844 F.2d 701 (9th Cir.), refd to. [para. 71].

R. v. Lewis (D.E.) (1998), 107 O.A.C. 46; 122 C.C.C.(3d) 481 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 79].

R. v. Charlton (T.S.), 15 B.C.A.C. 272; 27 W.A.C. 272 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 80].

R. v. Cook, [1990] B.C.J. No. 37 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 80].

R. v. Nasciamento (N.) (1998), 67 O.T.C. 384 (Gen. Div.), refd to. [para. 87].

R. v. Tahirkheli (T.) (1998), 113 O.A.C. 322; 130 C.C.C.(3d) 19 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 88].

R. v. Smyk (K.W.) et al. (1993), 88 Man.R.(2d) 303; 51 W.A.C. 303; 86 C.C.C.(3d) 63 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 92].

R. v. Paulson (J.Y.) (1995), 57 B.C.A.C. 217; 94 W.A.C. 217; 97 C.C.C.(3d) 344 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 94].

R. v. Cheung (Y.W.) (1997), 97 B.C.A.C. 161; 157 W.A.C. 161; 119 C.C.C.(3d) 507 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 96].

R. v. Solomon (1997), 118 C.C.C.(3d) 351 (S.C.C.), affing. (1996), 110 C.C.C.(3d) 354 (Que. C.A.), refd to. [para. 102].

R. v. Collins, [1987] 1 S.C.R. 265; 74 N.R. 276; 33 C.C.C.(3d) 1, refd to. [para. 103].

R. v. Jacoy, [1988] 2 S.C.R. 548; 89 N.R. 61; 45 C.C.C.(3d) 46, refd to. [para. 104].

R. v. Stillman (W.W.D.), [1997] 1 S.C.R. 607; 209 N.R. 81; 185 N.B.R.(2d) 1; 472 A.P.R. 1; 113 C.C.C.(3d) 321, refd to. [para. 105].

R. v. Pope (B.) (1998), 219 A.R. 85; 179 W.A.C. 85; 129 C.C.C.(3d) 59 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 107].

R. v. Church of Scientology of Toronto et al. (1997), 99 O.A.C. 321; 116 C.C.C.(3d) 1 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 108].

R. v. Bartle (K.), [1994] 3 S.C.R. 173; 172 N.R. 1; 74 O.A.C. 161; 92 C.C.C.(3d) 289, refd to. [para. 113].

R. v. Wise, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 527; 133 N.R. 161; 51 O.A.C. 351; 70 C.C.C.(3d) 193, refd to. [para. 118].

R. v. Elshaw, [1991] 3 S.C.R. 24; 128 N.R. 241; 3 B.C.A.C. 81; 7 W.A.C. 81, refd to. [para. 119].

R. v. Duguay, Murphy and Sevigny, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 93; 91 N.R. 201; 31 O.A.C. 177; 46 C.C.C.(3d) 1, refd to. [para. 121].

R. v. Genest, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 59; 91 N.R. 161; 19 Q.A.C. 163; 45 C.C.C.(3d) 385, refd to. [para. 121].

R. v. Manninen, [1987] 1 S.C.R. 1233; 76 N.R. 198; 21 O.A.C. 192; 34 C.C.C.(3d) 385, refd to. [para. 121].

R. v. Laurin (R.R.) (1997), 98 O.A.C. 50; 113 C.C.C.(3d) 519 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 124].

R. v. Puskas (J.F.) (1997), 104 O.A.C. 310; 120 C.C.C.(3d) 548 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 124].

R. v. Lauda (J.M.) (1998), 106 O.A.C. 161; 122 C.C.C.(3d) 74 (C.A.), affd. [1998] 2 S.C.R. 683; 232 N.R. 1; 115 O.A.C. 293; 129 C.C.C.(3d) 225, refd to. [para. 124].

R. v. Burlingham (T.W.), [1995] 2 S.C.R. 206; 181 N.R. 1; 58 B.C.A.C. 161; 96 W.A.C. 161; 97 C.C.C.(3d) 385, refd to. [para. 126].

R. v. Belnavis (A.) and Lawrence (C.), [1997] 3 S.C.R. 341; 216 N.R. 161; 103 O.A.C. 81; 118 C.C.C.(3d) 405, refd to. [para. 127].

R. v. Caslake (T.L.), [1998] 1 S.C.R. 51; 221 N.R. 281; 123 Man.R.(2d) 208; 159 W.A.C. 208; 121 C.C.C.(3d) 97, refd to. [para. 127].

R. v. Généreux, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 259; 133 N.R. 241; 70 C.C.C.(3d) 1, refd to. [para. 129].

R. v. Duncanson, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 836; 135 N.R. 117; 97 Sask.R. 96; 12 W.A.C. 96, affing. (1993), 93 Sask.R. 193; 4 W.A.C. 193 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 129].

R. v. Hagen, [1991] B.C.J. No. 613 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 129].

R. v. Harris and Lighthouse Video Centres Ltd. (1987), 20 O.A.C. 26; 35 C.C.C.(3d) 1 (C.A.), leave to appeal refused [1987] 2 S.C.R. vii; 86 N.R. 400; 25 O.A.C. 240, refd to. [para. 129].

R. v. Fish (1989), 35 O.A.C. 245; 44 C.R.R. 115 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 129].

R. v. Ottenbreit (1989), 77 Sask.R. 3 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 129].

R. v. Bailey (1988), 87 N.S.R.(2d) 245; 222 A.P.R. 245; 39 C.R.R. 378 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 129].

R. v. Siddall (1992), 110 N.S.R.(2d) 117; 299 A.P.R. 117 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 129].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Watt, David, Interception of Private Communications, Current Issues in Criminal Law (1991), p. 28 [para. 8].

Counsel:

Peter Hogg and Paul Riley, for the Crown;

James Millar, for the accused, Russell;

Mark Hilford, for the accused, Grenfal;

Kevin Woodall, for the accused, McKay;

J. Douglas Jevning, for the accused, Venkataya;

Michael Klein, for the accused, Caldwell.

This voir dire was heard at Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 10-14 and 18-20, 1999, by Romilly, J., of the British Columbia Supreme Court, who delivered the following decision on June 4, 1999.

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6 practice notes
  • R. v. Grewall (A.S.) et al., 2000 BCSC 820
    • Canada
    • British Columbia Supreme Court of British Columbia (Canada)
    • 26 Mayo 2000
    ...(incl. video surveillance) - Authority for - Form and content - See paragraphs 25 to 85. Cases Noticed: R. v. Russell (M.C.) et al. (1999), 27 B.C.T.C. 81 (S.C.), refd to. [para. R. v. Garofoli et al., [1990] 2 S.C.R. 1421; 116 N.R. 241; 43 O.A.C. 1; 36 Q.A.C. 161; 60 C.C.C.(3d) 161; 80 C.R......
  • R. v. Lyon (G.W.), 2002 BCSC 1212
    • Canada
    • British Columbia Supreme Court of British Columbia (Canada)
    • 16 Agosto 2002
    ...(Q.B.), refd to. [para. 32]. R. v. Kyllo (S.B.) et al. (1999), 9 B.C.T.C. 81 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 32]. R. v. Russell (M.C.) et al. (1999), 27 B.C.T.C. 81 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 32]. R. v. Couture (1998), 129 C.C.C.(3d) 302 (Que. C.A.), refd to. [para. 33]. R. v. Jarvis (W.J.) (2000), 27......
  • R. v. T.K.E., (2006) 316 N.B.R.(2d) 234 (TD)
    • Canada
    • New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick (Canada)
    • 10 Abril 2006
    ...122, refd to. [para. 111]. R. v. Jacoy (1988), 89 N.R. 61; 45 C.C.C.(3d) 46 (S.C.C.), consd. [para. 114]. R. v. Russell (M.C.) et al. (1999), 27 B.C.T.C. 81 (S.C.), refd to. [para. R. v. Mann (P.H.), [2004] 3 S.C.R. 59; 324 N.R. 215; 187 Man.R.(2d) 1; 330 W.A.C. 1, consd. [para. 123]. R. v.......
  • R. v. Blizzard (A.J.) et al., (2003) 268 N.B.R.(2d) 11 (TD)
    • Canada
    • New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick (Canada)
    • 23 Octubre 2003
    ...289, refd to. [para. 12]. R. v. Couture (1998), 129 C.C.C.(3d) 302 (Que. C.A.), appld. [para. 13]. R. v. Russell (M.C.) et al. (1999), 27 B.C.T.C. 81 (S.C.), refd to. [para. R. v. Dellapenna (R.N.) (1995), 62 B.C.A.C. 32; 103 W.A.C. 32; 31 C.R.R.(2d) 1 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 20]. R. v. Cas......
  • Request a trial to view additional results
6 cases
  • R. v. Grewall (A.S.) et al., 2000 BCSC 820
    • Canada
    • British Columbia Supreme Court of British Columbia (Canada)
    • 26 Mayo 2000
    ...(incl. video surveillance) - Authority for - Form and content - See paragraphs 25 to 85. Cases Noticed: R. v. Russell (M.C.) et al. (1999), 27 B.C.T.C. 81 (S.C.), refd to. [para. R. v. Garofoli et al., [1990] 2 S.C.R. 1421; 116 N.R. 241; 43 O.A.C. 1; 36 Q.A.C. 161; 60 C.C.C.(3d) 161; 80 C.R......
  • R. v. Lyon (G.W.), 2002 BCSC 1212
    • Canada
    • British Columbia Supreme Court of British Columbia (Canada)
    • 16 Agosto 2002
    ...(Q.B.), refd to. [para. 32]. R. v. Kyllo (S.B.) et al. (1999), 9 B.C.T.C. 81 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 32]. R. v. Russell (M.C.) et al. (1999), 27 B.C.T.C. 81 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 32]. R. v. Couture (1998), 129 C.C.C.(3d) 302 (Que. C.A.), refd to. [para. 33]. R. v. Jarvis (W.J.) (2000), 27......
  • R. v. T.K.E., (2006) 316 N.B.R.(2d) 234 (TD)
    • Canada
    • New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick (Canada)
    • 10 Abril 2006
    ...122, refd to. [para. 111]. R. v. Jacoy (1988), 89 N.R. 61; 45 C.C.C.(3d) 46 (S.C.C.), consd. [para. 114]. R. v. Russell (M.C.) et al. (1999), 27 B.C.T.C. 81 (S.C.), refd to. [para. R. v. Mann (P.H.), [2004] 3 S.C.R. 59; 324 N.R. 215; 187 Man.R.(2d) 1; 330 W.A.C. 1, consd. [para. 123]. R. v.......
  • R. v. Blizzard (A.J.) et al., (2003) 268 N.B.R.(2d) 11 (TD)
    • Canada
    • New Brunswick Court of Queen's Bench of New Brunswick (Canada)
    • 23 Octubre 2003
    ...289, refd to. [para. 12]. R. v. Couture (1998), 129 C.C.C.(3d) 302 (Que. C.A.), appld. [para. 13]. R. v. Russell (M.C.) et al. (1999), 27 B.C.T.C. 81 (S.C.), refd to. [para. R. v. Dellapenna (R.N.) (1995), 62 B.C.A.C. 32; 103 W.A.C. 32; 31 C.R.R.(2d) 1 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 20]. R. v. Cas......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

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