Seizure and Detention of Property under CDSA

From Criminal Law Notebook
This page was last substantively updated or reviewed December 2018. (Rev. # 95972)

General Principles

See also: CDSA Warrants
Report of seizure, finding, etc.

12.1 Subject to the regulations, every peace officer, inspector or prescribed person who seizes, finds or otherwise acquires a controlled substance, precursor or chemical offence-related property shall, within 30 days,

(a) prepare a report setting out
(i) the substance, precursor or property,
(ii) the amount of it that was seized, found or acquired,
(iii) the place where it was seized, found or acquired,
(iv) the date on which it was seized, found or acquired,
(v) the name of the police force, agency or entity to which the peace officer, inspector or prescribed person belongs,
(vi) the number of the file or police report related to the seizure, finding or acquisition, and
(vii) any other prescribed information;
(b) cause the report to be sent to the Minister; and
(c) in the case of a seizure made under section 11 of this Act, the Criminal Code or a power of seizure at common law, cause a copy of the report to be filed with the justice who issued the warrant or another justice for the same territorial division or, if a warrant was not issued, a justice who would have had jurisdiction to issue a warrant.

2017, c. 7, s. 10.

CDSA


Note up: 12.1

PART III
Disposition
Sections 489.1 and 490 of the Criminal Code applicable

13 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), sections 489.1 [restitution of property or report by peace officer] and 490 [detention, access and disposal of things seized] of the Criminal Code apply to any thing seized under this Act.

Sections 489.1 and 490 of Criminal Code applicable

(2) If a thing seized under this Act is non-chemical offence-related property, sections 489.1 [restitution of property or report by peace officer] and 490 [detention, access and disposal of things seized] of the Criminal Code apply subject to sections 16 to 22 and subsections 31(6) to (9) of this Act.

Provisions of this Act applicable

(3) If a controlled substance, precursor or chemical offence-related property is seized under this Act, any other Act of Parliament or a power of seizure at common law, the provisions of this Act and the regulations apply in respect of that substance, precursor or property.

Recognizance

(4) If, under this section, an order is made in accordance with paragraph 490(9)(c) [disposal of things seized – return to lawful owner] of the Criminal Code for the return of any non-chemical offence-related property seized under this Act, the judge or justice making the order may require the applicant for the order to enter into a recognizance before the judge or justice, with or without sureties, in the amount and with any conditions that the judge or justice directs and, if the judge or justice considers it appropriate, require the applicant to deposit with the judge or justice the sum of money or other valuable security that the judge or justice directs.
(5) and (6) [Repealed, 2017, c. 7, s. 11]
1996, c. 19, s. 13; 2017, c. 7, s. 11.
[annotation(s) added]

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 13(1), (2), (3), and (4)

Restraint of Non-Chemical Offence-related Property

DIVISION 1
Non-chemical Offence-related Property
Restraint Orders
Application for restraint order

14 (1) The Attorney General may make an application in accordance with this section for a restraint order in respect of any non-chemical offence-related property.

Procedure

(2) The application for a restraint order may be made ex parte and shall be made in writing to a judge and be accompanied by an affidavit of the Attorney General or any other person deposing to the following matters :

(a) the offence to which the property relates;
(b) the person who is believed to be in possession of the property; and
(c) a description of the property.
Restraint order

(3) The judge to whom the application is made may, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the property is non-chemical offence-related property, make a restraint order prohibiting any person from disposing of, or otherwise dealing with any interest in, the property specified in the order other than in the manner that is specified in the order.

Property outside Canada

(4) A restraint order may be issued under this section in respect of property situated outside Canada, with any modifications that the circumstances require.

Conditions

(5) A restraint order made by a judge under this section may be subject to such reasonable conditions as the judge thinks fit.

Order in writing

(6) A restraint order made under this section shall be made in writing.

Service of order

(7) A copy of a restraint order made under this section shall be served on the person to whom the order is addressed in such manner as the judge making the order directs or in accordance with the rules of the court.

Registration of order

(8) A copy of a restraint order made under this section shall be registered against any property in accordance with the laws of the province in which the property is situated.

Order continues in force

(9) A restraint order made under this section remains in effect until

(a) an order is made under subsection 19(3) or 19.1(3) of this Act or subsection 490(9) [disposal of things seized] or (11) [order of return or order to forfeit seized property] of the Criminal Code in relation to the property; or
(b) an order of forfeiture of the property is made under subsection 16(1) or 17(2) of this Act or section 490 of the Criminal Code.
Offence

(10) Any person on whom a restraint order made under this section is served in accordance with this section and who, while the order is in force, acts in contravention of or fails to comply with the order is guilty of an indictable offence or an offence punishable on summary conviction.
1996, c. 19, ss. 14, 93.2; 2001, c. 32, s. 49; 2017, c. 7, s. 13.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 14(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), and (10)


Sections 489.1 and 490 of Criminal Code applicable

15 (1) Subject to sections 16 to 22, sections 489.1 and 490 of the Criminal Code apply, with any modifications that the circumstances require, to any property that is the subject of a restraint order made under section 14.

Recognizance

(2) If, under this section, an order is made in accordance with paragraph 490(9)(c) [disposal of things seized – return to lawful owner] of the Criminal Code for the return of any property that is the subject of a restraint order made under section 14, the judge or justice making the order may require the applicant for the order to enter into a recognizance before the judge or justice, with or without sureties, in the amount and with any conditions that the judge or justice directs and, if the judge or justice considers it appropriate, require the applicant to deposit with the judge or justice the sum of money or other valuable security that the judge or justice directs.
1996, c. 19, s. 15; 2017, c. 7, s. 14.
[annotation(s) added]

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 15(1) and (2)

Management Orders
Management order

15.1 (1) On application of the Attorney General or of any other person with the written consent of the Attorney General, a justice in the case of non-chemical offence-related property seized under section 11 of this Act, the Criminal Code or a power of seizure at common law, or a judge in the case of property restrained under section 14, may, if they are of the opinion that the circumstances so require,

(a) appoint a person to take control of and to manage or otherwise deal with all or part of the property in accordance with the directions of the judge or justice; and
(b) require any person having possession of that property to give possession of the property to the person appointed under paragraph (a).
Appointment of Minister of Public Works and Government Services

(2) If the Attorney General of Canada so requests, a judge or justice appointing a person under subsection (1) shall appoint the Minister of Public Works and Government Services.

Power to manage

(3) The power to manage or otherwise deal with property under subsection (1) includes

(a) the power to make an interlocutory sale of perishable or rapidly depreciating property;
(b) the power to destroy, in accordance with subsections (4) to (7), property that has little or no value; and
(c) the power to have property, other than real property or a conveyance, forfeited to Her Majesty in accordance with subsection (8).
Application for destruction order

(4) Before a person who is appointed to manage property destroys property that has little or no value, they shall apply to a court for a destruction order.

Notice required before destruction

(5) Before making a destruction order, a court shall require notice in accordance with subsection (6) to be given to and may hear any person who, in the court’s opinion, appears to have a valid interest in the property.

Manner of giving notice

(6) A notice shall

(a) be given in the manner that the court directs or that may be specified in the rules of the court; and
(b) specify the effective period of the notice that the court considers reasonable or that may be set out in the rules of the court.
Destruction order

(7) A court shall order that the property be destroyed if it is satisfied that the property has little or no financial or other value.

Application for forfeiture order

(8) On application by a person who is appointed to manage the property, a court shall order that the property, other than real property or a conveyance, be forfeited to Her Majesty to be disposed of or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the law if

(a) a notice is given or published in the manner that the court directs or that may be specified in the rules of the court;
(b) the notice specifies a period of 60 days during which a person may make an application to the court asserting their interest in the property; and
(c) during that period, no one makes such an application.
When management order ceases to have effect

(9) A management order ceases to have effect when the property that is the subject of the management order is returned in accordance with the law, destroyed or forfeited to Her Majesty.

For greater certainty

(10) For greater certainty, if property that is the subject of a management order is sold, the management order applies to the net proceeds of the sale.

Application to vary conditions

(11) The Attorney General may at any time apply to the judge or justice to cancel or vary any condition to which a management order is subject but may not apply to vary an appointment made under subsection (2).
2017, c. 7, s. 14.

CDSA


Note up: 15.1(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), and (11)

Forfeiture
Forfeiture of property

16 (1) Subject to sections 18 to 19.1, if a person is convicted, or discharged under section 730 [order of discharge] of the Criminal Code, of a designated substance offence and, on application of the Attorney General, the court is satisfied, on a balance of probabilities, that non-chemical offence-related property is related to the commission of the offence, the court shall

(a) if the prosecution of the offence was commenced at the instance of the government of a province and conducted by or on behalf of that government, order that the property be forfeited to Her Majesty in right of that province to be disposed of or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the law by the Attorney General or Solicitor General of that province; and
(b) in any other case, order that the property be forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada to be disposed of or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the law by the member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada that is designated by the Governor in Council for the purposes of this paragraph.
Property related to other offences

(2) Subject to sections 18 to 19.1, if the evidence does not establish to the satisfaction of the court that property in respect of which an order of forfeiture would otherwise be made under subsection (1) is related to the commission of the designated substance offence of which a person is convicted or discharged, but the court is satisfied, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the property is non-chemical offence-related property, the court may make an order of forfeiture under subsection (1) in relation to that property.

Property outside Canada

(2.1) An order may be issued under this section in respect of property situated outside Canada, with any modifications that the circumstances require.

Appeal

(3) A person who has been convicted or discharged of a designated substance offence or the Attorney General may appeal to the court of appeal from an order or a failure to make an order under subsection (1) as if the appeal were an appeal against the sentence imposed on the person in respect of the offence.
1996, c. 19, s. 16; 2001, c. 32, s. 51; 2017, c. 7, s. 16.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 16(1), (2), (2.1), and (3)

Application for in rem forfeiture

17 (1) Where an information has been laid in respect of a designated substance offence, the Attorney General may make an application to a judge for an order of forfeiture under subsection (2).

Order of forfeiture of property

(2) Subject to sections 18 to 19.1, where an application is made to a judge under subsection (1) and the judge is satisfied

(a) beyond a reasonable doubt that any property is non-chemical offence-related property,
(b) that proceedings were commenced in respect of a designated substance offence to which the property referred to in paragraph (a) is related, and
(c) that the accused charged with the designated substance offence has died or absconded,

the judge shall order that the property be forfeited and disposed of in accordance with subsection (4).

Accused deemed absconded

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), an accused shall be deemed to have absconded in connection with a designated substance offence if

(a) an information has been laid alleging the commission of the offence by the accused,
(b) a warrant for the arrest of the accused has been issued in relation to that information, and
(c) reasonable attempts to arrest the accused pursuant to the warrant have been unsuccessful during a period of six months beginning on the day on which the warrant was issued,

and the accused shall be deemed to have so absconded on the last day of that six month period.

Who may dispose of forfeited property

(4) For the purposes of subsection (2),

(a) if the proceedings referred to in paragraph (2)(b) were commenced at the instance of the government of a province, the judge shall order that the property be forfeited to Her Majesty in right of that province and disposed of or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the law by the Attorney General or Solicitor General of that province; and
(b) in any other case, the judge shall order that the property be forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada and disposed of or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the law by the member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada that is designated by the Governor in Council for the purposes of this paragraph.
Property outside Canada

(5) An order may be issued under this section in respect of property situated outside Canada, with any modifications that the circumstances require.
1996, c. 19, s. 17; 2001, c. 32, s. 52; 2017, c. 7, s. 17.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 17(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5)

Voidable transfers

18 A court may, before ordering that property be forfeited under subsection 16(1) or 17(2), set aside any conveyance or transfer of the property that occurred after the property was seized or restrained, unless the conveyance or transfer was for valuable consideration to a person acting in good faith.
1996, c. 19, s. 18; 2017, c. 7, s. 18.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 18

Notice

19 (1) Before making an order under subsection 16(1) or 17(2) in relation to any property, a court shall require notice in accordance with subsection (2) to be given to, and may hear, any person who, in the opinion of the court, appears to have a valid interest in the property.

Manner of giving notice

(2) A notice shall

(a) be given in the manner that the court directs or that may be specified in the rules of the court;
(b) specify the period that the court considers reasonable or that may be set out in the rules of the court during which a person may make an application to the court asserting their interest in the property; and
(c) set out the designated substance offence charged and a description of the property.
Order of restoration of property

(3) Where a court is satisfied that any person, other than

(a) a person who was charged with a designated substance offence, or
(b) a person who acquired title to or a right of possession of the property from a person referred to in paragraph (a) under circumstances that give rise to a reasonable inference that the title or right was transferred for the purpose of avoiding the forfeiture of the property,

is the lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to possession of any property or any part of any property that would otherwise be forfeited pursuant to an order made under subsection 16(1) or 17(2) and that the person appears innocent of any complicity in an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or of any collusion in relation to such an offence, the court may order that the property or part be returned to that person.
1996, c. 19, s. 19; 2017, c. 7, s. 19.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 19(1), (2) and (3)

Notice

19.1 (1) If all or part of the property that would otherwise be forfeited under subsection 16(1) or 17(2) is a dwelling-house, before making an order of forfeiture, a court shall require notice in accordance with subsection (2) to be given to and may hear any person who resides in the dwelling-house and is a member of the immediate family of the person charged with or convicted, or discharged under section 730 of the Criminal Code, of the indictable offence under this Act in relation to which the property would be forfeited.

Manner of giving notice

(2) A notice shall

(a) be given in the manner that the court directs or that may be specified in the rules of the court;
(b) specify the period that the court considers reasonable or that may be set out in the rules of the court during which a member of the immediate family who resides in the dwelling-house may make themselves known to the court; and
(c) set out the offence charged and a description of the property.
Non-forfeiture of real property

(3) Subject to an order made under subsection 19(3), if a court is satisfied that the impact of an order of forfeiture made under subsection 16(1) or 17(2) in respect of real property would be disproportionate to the nature and gravity of the offence, the circumstances surrounding the commission of the offence and the criminal record, if any, of the person charged with or convicted, or discharged under section 730 of the Criminal Code, of the offence, as the case may be, it may decide not to order the forfeiture of the property or part of the property and may revoke any restraint order made in respect of that property or part.

Factors in relation to dwelling-house

(4) Where all or part of the property that would otherwise be forfeited under subsection 16(1) or 17(2) is a dwelling-house, when making a decision under subsection (3), the court shall also consider

(a) the impact of an order of forfeiture on any member of the immediate family of the person charged with or convicted or discharged of the offence, if the dwelling-house was the member’s principal residence at the time the charge was laid and continues to be the member’s principal residence; and
(b) whether the member referred to in paragraph (a) appears innocent of any complicity in the offence or of any collusion in relation to the offence.

2001, c. 32, s. 53; 2017, c. 7, s. 20.

CDSA


Note up: 19.1(1), (2), (3), and (4)

Application

20 (1) If any property is forfeited to Her Majesty under an order made under subsection 16(1) or 17(2), any person who claims an interest in the property, other than

(a) in the case of property forfeited under an order made under subsection 16(1), a person who was convicted, or discharged under section 730 [order of discharge] of the Criminal Code, of the designated substance offence in relation to which the property was forfeited,
(b) in the case of property forfeited pursuant to an order made under subsection 17(2), a person who was charged with the designated substance offence in relation to which the property was forfeited, or
(c) a person who acquired title to or a right of possession of the property from a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) under circumstances that give rise to a reasonable inference that the title or right was transferred from that person for the purpose of avoiding the forfeiture of the property,

may, within thirty days after the forfeiture, apply by notice in writing to a judge for an order under subsection (4).

Fixing day for hearing

(2) The judge to whom an application is made under subsection (1) shall fix a day not less than thirty days after the date of the filing of the application for the hearing of the application.

Notice

(3) An applicant shall serve a notice of the application made under subsection (1) and of the hearing of it on the Attorney General at least fifteen days before the day fixed for the hearing.

Order declaring interest not affected by forfeiture

(4) Where, on the hearing of an application made under subsection (1), the judge is satisfied that the applicant

(a) is not a person referred to in paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c) and appears innocent of any complicity in any designated substance offence that resulted in the forfeiture of the property or of any collusion in relation to such an offence, and
(b) exercised all reasonable care to be satisfied that the property was not likely to have been used in connection with the commission of an unlawful act by the person who was permitted by the applicant to obtain possession of the property or from whom the applicant obtained possession or, where the applicant is a mortgagee or lienholder, by the mortgagor or lien-giver,

the judge may make an order declaring that the interest of the applicant is not affected by the forfeiture and declaring the nature and the extent or value of the interest.

Appeal from order made under subsection (4)

(5) An applicant or the Attorney General may appeal to the court of appeal from an order made under subsection (4), and the provisions of Part XXI [Pt. XXI – Appeals – Indictable Offences (ss. 673 to 696)] of the Criminal Code with respect to procedure on appeals apply, with such modifications as the circumstances require, in respect of appeals under this subsection.

Return of property

(6) The Minister shall, on application made to the Minister by any person in respect of whom a judge has made an order under subsection (4), and where the periods with respect to the taking of appeals from that order have expired and any appeal from that order taken under subsection (5) has been determined, direct that

(a) the property, or the part of it to which the interest of the applicant relates, be returned to the applicant; or
(b) an amount equal to the value of the interest of the applicant, as declared in the order, be paid to the applicant.

1996, c. 19, s. 20; 2017, c. 7, s. 21.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 20(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6)

Appeals from orders under subsection 17(2)

21 Any person who, in their opinion, is aggrieved by an order made under subsection 17(2) may appeal from the order as if the order were an appeal against conviction or against a judgment or verdict of acquittal, as the case may be, under Part XXI [Pt. XXI – Appeals – Indictable Offences (ss. 673 to 696)] of the Criminal Code, and that Part applies, with such modifications as the circumstances require, in respect of such an appeal.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 21

Suspension of order pending appeal

22 Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the operation of an order made in respect of property under subsection 16(1), 17(2) or 20(4) is suspended pending

(a) any application made in respect of the property under any of those provisions or any other provision of this or any other Act of Parliament that provides for restoration or forfeiture of the property, or
(b) any appeal taken from an order of forfeiture or restoration in respect of the property,

and the property shall not be disposed of or otherwise dealt with until thirty days have expired after an order is made under any of those provisions.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 22

Restraint of Controlled Substances, Precursors and Chemical Offence-related Property

DIVISION 2
Controlled Substances, Precursors and Chemical Offence-related Property
Return

23 (1) A peace officer, inspector or prescribed person who seizes, finds or otherwise acquires a controlled substance, precursor or chemical offence-related property may return it to the person who is its lawful owner or who is lawfully entitled to its possession if the peace officer, inspector or prescribed person is satisfied

(a) that there is no dispute as to who is the lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to possession of the substance, precursor or property; and
(b) that the continued detention of the substance, precursor or property is not required for the purposes of a preliminary inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Act or any other Act of Parliament.
Receipt

(2) When the substance, precursor or property is returned, the peace officer, inspector or prescribed person shall obtain a receipt for it.

Report by peace officer

(3) In the case of a seizure made under section 11 of this Act, the Criminal Code or a power of seizure at common law, the peace officer shall make a report about the return to the justice who issued the warrant or another justice for the same territorial division or, if a warrant was not issued, a justice who would have had jurisdiction to issue a warrant.
1996, c. 19, s. 23; 2001, c. 32, s. 54; 2017, c. 7, s. 22.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 23(1), (2) and (3)

Application for return

24 (1) If a controlled substance, precursor or chemical offence-related property has been seized, found or otherwise acquired by a peace officer, inspector or prescribed person, any person may, within 60 days after the date of the seizure, finding or acquisition, on prior notification being given to the Attorney General in the prescribed manner, apply, by notice in writing to a justice in the jurisdiction in which it is being detained, for an order to return it to the person.

Order to return as soon as practicable

(2) If, on the hearing of an application made under subsection (1), a justice is satisfied that an applicant is the lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to possession of the substance, precursor or property and the Attorney General does not indicate that it or a portion of it may be required for the purposes of a preliminary inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Act or any other Act of Parliament, the justice shall, subject to subsection (5), order that it or the portion be returned as soon as practicable to the applicant.

Order to return at specified time

(3) If, on the hearing of an application made under subsection (1), a justice is satisfied that an applicant is the lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to possession of the substance, precursor or property but the Attorney General indicates that it or a portion of it may be required for the purposes of a preliminary inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Act or any other Act of Parliament, the justice shall, subject to subsection (5), order that it or the portion be returned to the applicant

(a) on the expiry of 180 days after the day on which the application was made, if no proceeding in relation to it has been commenced before that time; or
(b) on the final conclusion of the proceeding or any other proceeding in relation to it, if the applicant is not found guilty in those proceedings of an offence committed in relation to it.
Forfeiture order

(4) If, on the hearing of an application made under subsection (1), a justice is not satisfied that an applicant is the lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to possession of the substance, precursor or property, and it or a portion of it is not required for the purposes of a preliminary inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Act or any other Act of Parliament, the justice shall order that it or the portion be forfeited to Her Majesty to be disposed of or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the regulations or, if there are no applicable regulations, in the manner that the Minister directs.

Payment of compensation in lieu

(5) If, on the hearing of an application made under subsection (1), a justice is satisfied that an applicant is the lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to possession of the substance, precursor or property, but it was disposed of or otherwise dealt with under section 26, the justice shall order that an amount equal to its value be paid to the applicant.
1996, c. 19, s. 24; 2017, c. 7, s. 22.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 24(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5)

Applications under s. 24 CDSA must be made to a court of inherent jurisdiction, which would not include a provincial court.[1]

Forfeiture if no application

25 If no application for the return of a controlled substance, precursor or chemical offence-related property has been made under subsection 24(1) within 60 days after the date of the seizure, finding or acquisition by a peace officer, inspector or prescribed person and it or a portion of it is not required for the purposes of a preliminary inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Act or any other Act of Parliament, it or the portion is forfeited to Her Majesty and may be disposed of or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the regulations or, if there are no applicable regulations, in the manner that the Minister directs.
1996, c. 19, s. 25; 2017, c. 7, s. 22.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 25

Expedited disposition

26 If a precursor or chemical offence-related property — whose storage or handling poses a risk to health or safety — or a controlled substance, or a portion of any of them, is not required for the purposes of a preliminary inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Act or any other Act of Parliament, it or the portion may be disposed of or otherwise dealt with by the Minister, a peace officer or a prescribed person in accordance with the regulations or, if there are no applicable regulations, in the manner that the Minister directs.
1996, c. 19, s. 26; 2017, c. 7, s. 22.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 26

Disposition following proceedings

27 Subject to section 24, if, in a preliminary inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Act or any other Act of Parliament, the court before which the proceedings have been brought is satisfied that any controlled substance, precursor or chemical offence-related property that is the subject of proceedings before the court is no longer required by that court or any other court, the court

(a) shall
(i) if it is satisfied that the person from whom the substance, precursor or property was seized came into possession of it lawfully and continued to deal with it lawfully, order that it be returned to the person, or
(ii) if it is satisfied that possession of the substance, precursor or property by the person from whom it was seized is unlawful and the person who is the lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to its possession is known, order that it be returned to the person who is the lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to its possession; and
(b) may, if it is not satisfied that the substance, precursor or property should be returned under subparagraph (a)(i) or (ii) or if possession of it by the person from whom it was seized is unlawful and the person who is the lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to its possession is not known, order that it be forfeited to Her Majesty to be disposed of or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the regulations or, if there are no applicable regulations, in the manner that the Minister directs.

1996, c. 19, s. 27; 2017, c. 7, s. 23.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 27

Disposition with consent

28 If a controlled substance, precursor or chemical offence-related property has been seized, found or otherwise acquired by a peace officer, inspector or prescribed person and it or a portion of it is not required for the purposes of a preliminary inquiry, trial or other proceeding under this Act or any other Act of Parliament, the person who is its lawful owner may consent to its disposition, and when that consent is given, it or the portion is forfeited to Her Majesty and may be disposed of or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the regulations or, if there are no applicable regulations, in the manner that the Minister directs.

1996, c. 19, s. 28; 2017, c. 7, s. 24.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 28

Report of disposition

29 (1) Subject to the regulations, every peace officer, inspector or prescribed person who disposes of or otherwise deals with a controlled substance, precursor or chemical offence-related property under this Division shall, within 30 days, prepare a report setting out the following information and cause the report to be sent to the Minister :

(a) the substance, precursor or property;
(b) the amount of it that was disposed of or otherwise dealt with;
(c) the manner in which it was disposed of or otherwise dealt with;
(d) the date on which it was disposed of or otherwise dealt with;
(e) the name of the police force, agency or entity to which the peace officer, inspector or prescribed person belongs;
(f) the number of the file or police report related to the disposition of it or other dealing with it; and
(g) any other prescribed information.
Interpretation

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), dealing with a controlled substance, precursor or chemical offence-related property by a peace officer includes using it to conduct an investigation or for training purposes.

1996, c. 19, s. 29; 2017, c. 7, s. 24.

CDSA (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 29(1) and (2)

  1. R v Reeve, 2018 NSPC 30 (CanLII), per Tax J

See Also