War on drugs in Calgary

(403) 452-8018

alberta's war on drugs

"If you have been charged with drug trafficking, the Government has almost certainly invested considerable resources to investigate you and will likely devote substantial resources to prosecuting you.  You should take this very seriously".

The “war on drugs” is no longer merely a political catchphrase chanted by politicians to attract public support.  By all accounts, the demonization of the drug trade is reflected in the legal reality that police expend tremendous resources to halt the proliferation of narcotics in our communities. 

Parliament has armed police and Crown with a variety of resources to assist in the investigation and prosecution of drug crimes.   The Alberta Court of Appeal has established starting point sentences for low level commercial trafficking (or possession for the purpose of trafficking) Schedule 1 substances such as cocaine, MDMA, heroin, crystal meth, opioids (such as Morphine, Oxycontin and Fentanyl) and other hard drugs.  Though the starting points are guideline only, Alberta’s highest court routinely upholds harsh penitentiary sentences and consistently substitutes non-custodial dispositions for jail.  Recent legislative amendments have further increased the penalty for conviction for other narcotics, including Fentanyl.  Specifically, in R. v. Felix, the Alberta Court of Appeal upheld a nearly double penitentiary sentence for possession for the purpose of trafficking Fentanyl. 

If convicted of certain drug offences, it appears the Crown policy is to seek jail every time. If convicted of drug trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking or importation, you could face a penalty a prison sentence similar to or greater than persons convicted of violent crime, including sexual assault. 


serious Calgary drug defence lawyer

"Politics has sold its efforts to combat the purported drug crisis with the phrase 'war on drugs'.  By incarcerating drug offenders, the State has arguably created a prison crisis. Hire the right drug lawyer because if you don't, there is higher likelihood you could find yourself behind bars."

The combination of sophisticated investigations, complex prosecutions and significant penalties means that if you have been charged with a drug offence in Alberta, you should retain a serious drug defence lawyer.

You have probably heard the terrifying language "Opioid Crisis" or "Fentanyl Crisis".  As you are probably aware, a large number of fatalities are being attributed to Opioids -- in particular, Fentanyl and Carfentanyl.  With that in mind, it is important to be aware that Court's are slapping offenders convicted of trafficking Fentanyl with lengthy jail sentences and often detaining them in custody without bail until the case is resolved one-way or another.   

Whether you have been charged with trafficking in opioids, cocaine, meth. LSD or mushrooms, the war on drugs means that the Government will likely throw its massive weight at you to secure a conviction.  As such, there is a high likelihood that your only chance of avoiding a criminal record, jail and a lifetime of stigma is your drug lawyer. Call David Chow for a free consultation. David has a credible drug defence pedigree.  He can help with your case.


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Calgary drug lawyer | Full Service Calgary Criminal Lawyer | Alberta Criminal Lawyer

Recent Case Results

R. v. S.D.J.

R. v. S.D.J.

(Calgary, P. C. - Trafficking/Identity Fraud). SDJ was charged with trafficking crystal meth and identity fraud resulting from impersonation related offences. On the surface, the case was quite serious because an innocent third-party was implicated. ...
R. v. H.C.H.

R. v. H.C.H.

(Lethbridge, P. C. - Cocaine Trafficking). HCH was investigated for drug trafficking based on information provided by a confidential informant. ...
R. v. C.L.L.

R. v. C.L.L.

(Calgary, P. C. - PPT/Proceeds of Crime).  CLL was charged alongside a co-accused with possession for the purpose of trafficking a kilogram of cocaine and proceeds of crime.  The investigation that precipitated the arrest of CLL started in a jurisdiction outside of Calgary, but led undercover operatives to the City. ...
R. v. N.M.M

R. v. N.M.M

(Swift Current, P. C. - Tobacco Act). NMM was charged with both Tobacco Act and Excise Act charges arising out of an RCMP traffic stop on the Trans Canada Highway just in Swift Current. NMM was co-accused with another individual. Both accused were charged with possession of illicit cigarettes. ...
R. v. L.B.C.

R. v. L.B.C.

(Lethbridge, P. C. - Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking).  LBC was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, meth and Fentanyl, along with weapons offences, proceeds of crime and identity offences (such as possession of forged identification). In this case, Lethbridge police received confidential source information about a drug trafficking operation in Lethbridge. ...
R. v. O.E.O.

R. v. O.E.O.

(Calgary, P. C. - PPT/Gun). OEO was charged with serious offences, including possession for the purpose of trafficking (PPT) heroin and meth along with possession of a loaded, restricted handgun.  OEO was arrested while in the presence of others, who police were executing an arrest warrant. ...
R. v. S.O.S.

R. v. S.O.S.

(Didsbury P. C. - Bail/PPT/Armed Robbery). Defending drug prosecutions is consistently becoming more labour intensive and complex. Adding to the challenges defending trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking charges is that bail conditions for those charged with drug offences can oftentimes be extremely onerous. ...
R. v. K.M.A.

R. v. K.M.A.

(Calgary, P. C. - Murder).  David Chow was part of the defence team for an accused in Court when the Crown stayed murder charges against three-men at the start of a preliminary inquiry on February 8th, 2020. When a stay is directed by the Crown, it has 12 months to revive the case. ...
R. v. G.T.

R. v. G.T.

(Calgary, P. C. - Importation/PPT). GT was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and importation of dozens of kilograms of meth and cocaine.   GT was found "not guilty" at trial. This was a multi-kilo drug case that could have had very serious consequences for GT. ...