View source for Drug Trafficking, Schedule I (Sentencing)

{{LevelZero}} {{HeaderDrugs}}

{{OffenceBox |OffenceTitle=Drug Trafficking, Schedule I |OffencePage=Drug Trafficking, Schedule I |Section=5(1), (2) |Act= {{OBCDSA}} |CrownElection={{OBIndictableElection}} |Jurisdiction={{OBJurisdictionAll}} <!--{{OBJurisdictionExclusive}} {{OBJurisdictionAbsolute}} --> |Bail={{OBBailJudge}}  |IndictableDisp= {{OBDisp14orLife}} |IndictableMin= {{OBMinNone}}|IndictableMax= {{OBMaxLife}}  }}
==Overview==
''See [[Drug Trafficking (Offence)]]''
==Legislation==
{{quotation|
'''Trafficking in substance'''<br>
5. (1) No person shall traffic in a substance included in Schedule I, II, III or IV or in any substance represented or held out by that person to be such a substance.
<br>
'''Possession for purpose of trafficking'''<br>
(2) No person shall, for the purpose of trafficking, possess a substance included in Schedule I, II, III or IV.
<br>
'''Punishment'''<Br>
(3) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2)
:(a) subject to paragraph (a.1), if the subject matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule I or II, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life, and
::(i) to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of one year if
:::(A) the person committed the offence for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a criminal organization, as defined in subsection 467.1(1) of the Criminal Code,
:::(B) the person used or threatened to use violence in committing the offence,
:::(C) the person carried, used or threatened to use a weapon in committing the offence, or
:::(D) the person was convicted of a designated substance offence, or had served a term of imprisonment for a designated substance offence, within the previous 10 years, or
::(ii) to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of two years if
:::(A) the person committed the offence in or near a school, on or near school grounds or in or near any other public place usually frequented by persons under the age of 18 years,
:::(B) the person committed the offence in a prison, as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code, or on its grounds, or
:::(C) the person used the services of a person under the age of 18 years, or involved such a person, in committing the offence;

...<br>
'''Interpretation'''<br>
(5) For the purposes of applying subsection (3) in respect of an offence under subsection (1), a reference to a substance included in Schedule I, II, III or IV includes a reference to any substance represented or held out to be a substance included in that Schedule.
<br>
...<br>
1996, c. 19, s. 5; 2012, c. 1, s. 39.
|[http://canlii.ca/t/7vtc#sec5 CDSA]}}

==Sentencing Principles and Ranges==
{{SeealsoSentencingDrugs}}

'''Maximum Penalties'''<br>
{{MaxPenaltyIndictment|s. 5(3)(a)|'''life'''}}

'''Minimum Penalties'''<br>
{{MinPenalty|s. 5(3)(a) or (a.1)|'''1 year or 2 years incarceration'''}}

'''Available Dispositions'''<br>
{{SProfileAvailHeader}}
|s. 5(3)(a)|| {{NA}} || {{SProfileOnlyJail}}
|-
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{OnlyJailAvailable|s. 5(3)(a) [with aggravating factors]}}

'''Consecutive Sentences'''<Br>
{{NoConsecutive}}

===Principles===
'''Gravity'''<br>
There is a distinction made in law between hard drugs (such as cocaine) and soft drugs (such as marijuana).<ref>''R v Tuck'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1rxq0 2007 ONCA 495] (CanLII), [2007] O.J. No. 2626 (C.A.){{TheCourt}} at para 2<br> 
''R v Wellington'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1f993 1999 CanLII 3054] (ON CA), (1999), 132 CCC (3d) 470 (Ont. C.A.){{perONCA|Feldman JA}} at 476<br>
''R v Cunningham'', [http://canlii.ca/t/6j8q 1996 CanLII 1311] (ON CA), (1996), 104 CCC (3d) 542 (Ont. C.A.){{TheCourt}} at 547 <br>
</reF>

The societal costs of drug abuse and trafficking are significant.<ref>Pushpanathan v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), [http://canlii.ca/t/1fqs6 1998 CanLII 778] (SCC), [1998] 1 SCR 982{{perSCC| Bastarache J}}, at pp. 1039-1040</ref> They include the effects on health care, lost productivity and financial loss due to enforcement.

Many courts have spoken to the societal harm of drug trafficking.<ref>
see ''R v Aitkens'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1hkgx 2004 BCCA 411] (CanLII){{perBCCA|Newbury JA}} at para 7: "Drug trafficking has become a blight in our society"<br> 
''R v Beaudry'', [http://canlii.ca/t/dw7 2000 ABCA 243] (CanLII), (2002), 37 C.R. (5th) 1 (Alta. C.A.){{perABCA|Berger JA}} at para 158 and 165 ("The damage to the community from trafficking in cocaine is substantial, and extends well beyond the offender and his prospective customers ... it contributes to a variety of other offences, with the potential for extremely serious health and economic consequences. Drug trafficking remains a serious problem in Canada.")<br>
''R v Woolcock'', [2002] OJ No 4927{{NOCANLII}} at para 8 (“There is no dispute that crack cocaine is an extremely dangerous and insidious drug with potential to cause a great deal of harm to individuals and to society.”)<br>
''R v Daya'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1t671 2007 ONCA 693] (CanLII), 227 CCC (3d) 367{{perONCA|Moldaver and LaForme JJA}} at para 18<br>
''R v Harris'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1wzkr 2008 CanLII 23493] (ON SC), [2008] O.J. No. 1976 (S.C.J.){{perONSC|DM Brown J}}, at paras 21-22<br>
''R v Johnson'', [http://canlii.ca/t/2876q 2010 BCCA 57] (CanLII), [2010] BCJ No. 301 (C.A.){{perBCCA|Bennett JA}} at para 29 ("correctly took into account the serious effect that cocaine has on fellow citizens and [the offender's] role in spreading this 'disease'.")<br>
R v Sem (S.), [http://canlii.ca/t/1lr3l 2005 MBQB 208] (CanLII){{perMBQB|MacInnes J}} at paras 37-38<br>
</ref>
Trafficking and use of cocaine has a close connection with violent crime.<ref>
''R v Hamilton'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1hmc9 2004 CanLII 5549] (ON CA), (2004), 72 O.R. (3d) 1{{perONCA|Doherty JA}}, at para 104</ref>

Schedule I drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines, are "highly addictive and inflict great harm on individuals and society.  Trafficking in these drugs is rightly considered a serious offence". <ref>
''R v Lloyd'', [http://canlii.ca/t/gpg9t 2016 SCC 13] (CanLII){{perSCC|McLachlin CJ}} at para 26
</ref>

The destructive nature of methamphetamines “mirror those of two other hard drugs, heroin and cocaine”.<ref>''R v Villanueva'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1qsr8 2007 ONCJ 87] (CanLII){{perONCJ|MacDonnell J}} at para 27<br>
see also ''R v Nguyen'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fnl1c 2011 ONSC 6229] (CanLII){{perONSC|McWatt J}} at para 41 (“The danger of methamphetamine to human life is becoming uncontrovertibly clear.”)</ref>

Fentanyl is considered one of the "most highly addictive and dangerous drugs" and so objectives in sentencing should focus on general deterrence and denunciation.<Ref>
''R v Lu'', [http://canlii.ca/t/gs5s0 2016 ONCA 479] (CanLII){{TheCourt}} at para 9<br>
</ref>

'''Disposition'''<br>
Trafficking in cocaine is typically a jail sentence. <ref>
R v Al-Amiri, [http://canlii.ca/t/gknnj 2015 NLCA 37] (CanLII){{perNLCA|Barry JA}}, at para 61<br>
</ref>
This is particularly true in "dial-a-dope" schemes which are a form of commercial trafficking.<ref>
''R v Sawatsky'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1tsdh 2007 ABCA 353] (CanLII){{perABCA|Martin JA}}<br>  
''R v Maskill'', (1981), [http://canlii.ca/t/fp6dc 1981 ABCA 50] (CanLII), 29 A.R. 107, 58 CCC (2nd) 408{{perABCA|Moir JA}} at para 20 and <br>
''R v Rahime'', [http://canlii.ca/t/5rfb 2001 ABCA 203] (CanLII){{TheCourt}}</ref>


'''Exceptional Circumstances'''<Br>
It has been suggested that only in "exceptional circumstances" should a sentence be outside of the normal range of jail.<ref>
R v Peters (R.N.), [http://canlii.ca/t/gmm6h 2015 MBCA 119] (CanLII), 323 Man.R. (2d) 237{{perMBCA|Monnin JA}}<Br> 
R v Tran (A.), [http://canlii.ca/t/gmm6k 2015 MBCA 120] (CanLII){{perMBCA|Monnin JA}}<Br> 
R v Racca (R.A.), [http://canlii.ca/t/gmm6j 2015 MBCA 121] (CanLII){{perMBCA|Burnett JA}}<Br>
</ref>
These circumstances can take the form of the existence of "multiple mitigating factors".<Ref>
Tran{{supra}} at para 24<Br>
R v Voong (D.M.) et al., [http://canlii.ca/t/gjnwp 2015 BCCA 285] (CanLII){{perBCCA|Bennett JA}} at para 59<Br>
</ref>

'''Factors'''<br>
Smuggling any amount of drugs into a correctional facility is an aggravating factor.<ref>
''R v Taylor'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fwxg6 2013 SKCA 33] (CanLII){{perSKCA|Richards JA}} at para 15, 16<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Ranges==
{{seealso|Drug Trafficking, Schedule I (Sentencing Cases)|Drug Trafficking, Schedule I, Cocaine (Sentencing Cases)}}
'''General Ranges'''<br>
Sentencing ranges vary between provinces.

In Nova Scotia, an appropriate sentence for trafficking of Schedule I substances will range will typically span from 3 to 5 years. As such, conditional sentences are rarely available.<ref>
''R v Knickle'', [http://canlii.ca/t/23tc9 2009 NSCA 59] (CanLII){{perNSCA|Roscoe JA}}<br>
''R v Conway'', [http://canlii.ca/t/25qjp 2009 NSCA 95] (CanLII){{perNSCA| Bateman JA}}</ref>

In  Saskatchewan, the range is between 18 months to 4 years for trafficking.<ref>
''R v Aube'', [http://canlii.ca/t/23hrz 2009 SKCA 53] (CanLII){{perSKCA|Smith JA}} at para 19<br>
''R v Shawile'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fr8tz 2012 SKCA 51] (CanLII){{perSKCA|Herauf JA}}<br>
''R v Taylor'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fwxg6 2013 SKCA 33] (CanLII){{perSKCA|Richards JA}} at para 14<br>
</ref> 

In Newfoundland, trafficking in small quantities of cocaine is a sentence in the range of 6 to 18 months.<ref>''R v Taylor'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fpqjw 2012 CanLII 1915] (NL SCTD){{perNLSC|Dymond J}} at para 12</ref>

It is infrequent that it will go below two years<ref>R v Dawe [http://canlii.ca/t/5fs7 2002 NSCA 147] (CanLII){{perNSCA|Hamilton JA}}</ref> and so will virtually guarantee a federal sentence.<ref>''R v Jamieson'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fpf0n 2011 NSCA 122] (CanLII){{perNSCA|Saunders JA}} at para 38</ref> There is no fixed minimum, however. There is still significant discretion.<ref>
''R v Ostertag'', [http://canlii.ca/t/5rps 2000 ABCA 232] (CanLII), 266 A.R. 57{{perABCA|Veit J}} at paras 12-16</ref>

However, it is not unreasonable in certain exceptional circumstances to have sentences below two years.<ref>
R v Murphy (M.P.), [http://canlii.ca/t/fnl3b 2011 MBCA 84] (CanLII){{perMBCA|Monnin JA}}<br>
R v Panko (D.), 148 Man.R. (2d) 138, [http://canlii.ca/t/1flbr 2000 MBCA 45] (CanLII){{perMBCA|Huband JA}}<br>
R v Reid (B.A.C.), [http://canlii.ca/t/234nb 1998 CanLII 17760] (MB CA), (1998), 131 Man.R. (2d) 153{{perMBCA|Helper JA}}<br>
R v Champagne (D.A.), [http://canlii.ca/t/4pgm 2000 MBCA 66] (CanLII) 148 Man.R. (2d) 104{{perMBCA|Helper JA}}<br>
</ref>
The starting point for commercial trafficking in cocaine in small quantities is three years for most provinces.<Ref>
AB: ''R v Maskill'', (1981), [http://canlii.ca/t/fp6dc 1981 ABCA 50] (CanLII), 29 A.R. 107, 58 CCC (2d) 408 (C.A.){{perABCA|Moir J}}<br> 
''R v Rahime'', [http://canlii.ca/t/5rfb 2001 ABCA 203] (CanLII), 286 A.R. 377{{TheCourt}} at para 26<br> 
''R v Marchesi'', 460 A.R. 294, [http://canlii.ca/t/25q69 2009 ABCA 304] (CanLII){{TheCourt}} at para 4<br>
''R v McCulloch'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fl5rh 2011 ABCA 124] (CanLII){{TheCourt}} at para 8 - starting point sentence “for commercial trafficking in cocaine in small quantities”<br>
''R v Rainville'', [http://canlii.ca/t/2ct06 2010 ABCA 288] (CanLII){{perABCA| Rowbotham JA}} at para 6<br>
''R v Chung'', [http://canlii.ca/t/5s9k 1999 ABCA 86] (CanLII), (1999), 135 AR 351 (CA), 18 WCB (2d) 611{{perABCA|Fraser CJ}}<br>
NS: ''R v Knickle'', [http://canlii.ca/t/23tc9 2009 NSCA 59] (CanLII){{perNSCA|Roscoe JA}}<br>
</ref>

In Manitoba, there are several recognized levels of trafficking in cocaine:
# Low (street dealer): sentences typically start at less than two years and can range up to four years. <ref>''R v Gilchrist'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1gg57 2004 MBCA 21] (CanLII){{perMBCA|Freedman JA}}<br>
''R v Safaye'', [http://canlii.ca/t/hpsk1 2017 MBQB 217] (CanLII){{perMBQB|Greenberg J}}<Br>
</ref>
# Low-Mid (mere courier): sentences for couriers can be between 3 to 6 years.<ref>''R v Rocha'', [http://canlii.ca/t/22qvh 2009 MBCA 26] (CanLII){{perMBCA|Chartier JA}} at paras 61 to 64<br>
R v Traimany (P.), [http://canlii.ca/t/fpg4m 2011 MBCA 104] (CanLII), 270 Man.R. (2d) 291{{perMBCA|Chartier JA}} at para 3</ref>
# Mid (more than mere courier of large quantities): sentences typically range from 5 to 8 years if they are an insider, while couriers are in the range of 3 to 6 years.<ref>Rocha{{supra}} at paras 61 to 64</ref>
# High: (multi-kilogram trafficker): sentences typically range from 8 to 12 years<ref>''R v Oddleifson'', [http://canlii.ca/t/29tj0 2010 MBCA 44] (CanLII){{perMBCA|Chartier JA}}</ref>

It has been further suggested that “a person who traffics in a sophisticated manner at a kilogram level should, absent significant mitigating factors, expect no less a penalty than 10 years' incarceration. It should not matter whether that drug is cocaine or methamphetamine.” <ref>''R v Grant'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1rsd8 2007 MBQB 13] (CanLII){{perMBQB|Scurfeild J}} at para 73</ref>

In Ontario, for possession of "a substantial amount of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking" the range is usually 5 to 5.5 years even with a guilty plea and no record.<Ref>
''R v Bajada'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1bw6s 2003 CanLII 15687] (ON CA){{perONCA|Weiler JA}} at paras 12 to 14<br>
''R v Ovid'', [http://canlii.ca/t/gr53w 2016 ONSC 2974] (CanLII){{perONSC|Campbell J}}, para 27<br>
</ref>

The Ontario "normal" range for "someone, without a record, convicted of possession for the purpose of trafficking in slightly more than a pound [or 453.59 grams] of cocaine".<ref>
Ovid{{ibid}} at para 27<br>
''R v Bryan'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fkxlx 2011 ONCA 273] (CanLII), [2011] O.J. No. 1581{{TheCourt}} at paras 1-2<br>
See also R v Muise, [2007] O.J. No. 5553 (C.J.) {{NOCANLII}} at para 47, aff'd [http://canlii.ca/t/20zf3 2008 ONCA 665] (CanLII){{TheCourt}}<br>
''R v Peltier'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fwfwk 2013 ONCA 141] (CanLII){{perONCA|MacPherson JA}} at para 15<br>
''R v Italiano'', [http://canlii.ca/t/gh5kc 2015 ONSC 2216] (CanLII), [2013] O.J. No. 6459{{perONSC|O'Marra J}}, at paras 25-31<br>
''R v Feeney'', [http://canlii.ca/t/gj3cx 2015 ONSC 3218] (CanLII), [2015] O.J. No. 2584{{perONSC|Garton J}}, at paras 32-40, 44-45, 55-68<br>
''R v Ceballos'', [http://canlii.ca/t/gg5x5 2015 ONSC 720] (CanLII), [2015] O.J. No. 536{{perONSC| MacDonnell J}} at paras 2, 5-12, 21-23<Br>
</ref>

Trafficking heroin, even in small amounts, will result in federal sentences absent exceptional circumstances.<ref>
''R v Abdella'', [http://canlii.ca/t/h2x5p 2017 ONSC 1002] (CanLII){{perONSC|O'Marra J}} at para 16<br>
''R v Farizeh'', [1994] O.J. No. 2624 (O.C.A.), [http://canlii.ca/t/6k74 1994 CanLII 1145] (ON CA){{TheCourt}} <br>
''R v Bahari'', [1994] O.J. No. 2625 (O.C.A.), [http://canlii.ca/t/6k75 1994 CanLII 1425] (ON CA){{TheCourt}}<br>
</ref>

'''Small amounts'''<br>
In Ontario, the range of sentencing for trafficking in small amounts of crack cocaine is 6 months to 2 years less a day.<ref>
R v Woolcock [2002] OJ No 4927{{NOCANLII}} at 15<br>
''R v Madeiros'', [2001] OJ No 5664 (Ont. SCJ){{NOCANLII}}<br>
''R v Radassao'', [http://canlii.ca/t/6k6x 1994 CanLII 779] (ON CA), [1994] OJ No 1990 (ONCA){{perONCA|Griffiths JA}}<br>
</ref>

'''Mid-range'''<br>
Manitoba court has stated that the mid-level drug deal has a range of sentence between 7 to 8 years.<ref>Rocha{{supra}} at para 64<br>
Traimany{{supra}}, at para 3</ref> 

'''Large amounts of Drugs (1kg+)'''<br>
The range of sentence for trafficking of cocaine in the amounts of 1 kg or more will typically see sentences in the range of 5 years.<ref>''R v Bajada'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1bw6s 2003 CanLII 15687] (ON CA), (2003), 169 O.A.C. 226 (C.A.){{perONCA|Weiler JA}} at para 13</ref> Larger amounts upward of 3 kg will attract a range of 6 to 8 years.<ref>
''R v Oraha'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fqdtn 2012 ONSC 1439] (CanLII){{perONSC|Archibald J}} at para 31</ref>
It has also be articulated as "substantial amounts" of cocaine attracting a range of 5 to 8 years.<ref>
''R v Rage'', [http://canlii.ca/t/hqqpx 2018 ONCA 211] (CanLII){{TheCourt}} at para 14<BR>
</ref>

In Ontario, a first-time offender convicted for being a courier for large amounts of high-grade heroin should expect a range between 12 and 17 years jail absent "exceptional or extenuating circumstances".<ref>
''R v Sidhu'', [http://canlii.ca/t/228tl 2009 ONCA 81] (CanLII){{TheCourt}} at para 14<Br>
''R v Deol'', [http://canlii.ca/t/h2ph6 2017 ONCA 221] (CanLII){{perONCA|Juriansz JA}} at para 48<Br>
</ref>

'''Couriers'''<br>
The drug couriers' job is to transport drugs and protect their bosses from being detected.<ref>Traimany at para 3<br>
Rocha{{supra}} at para 64<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Conditional Sentences==
Offences occurring before November 20, 2012 may be eligible for a conditional sentence in certain circumstances. Offences after that date are ineligible under s. 742.1 which prohibits conditional sentences for offences under s. 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.<ref>
See [[List of Criminal Code Amendments]]<br>
</ref>

In Ontario and Newfoundland, the conditional sentence is available for trafficking in only rare cases.<ref>
''R v Ly'', [http://canlii.ca/t/6hsw 1997 CanLII 2983] (ONCA){{perONCA|Austin JA}} at 286 ("will be looked to only rarely in cases of drug trafficking") <br>
''R v Brown'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1npm9 1997 CanLII 10869] (NL CA){{perNLCA|Marshall JA}} at 155</ref> Those who are involved in a “dial-a-dope” operation will generally be sentenced to incarceration.<Ref>
''R v Sawatsky'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1tsdh 2007 ABCA 353] (CanLII){{perABCA|Martin JA}} at para 4 ("We agree with the Crown that those who organize and manage "dial-a-dope" schemes to traffic in drugs, such as cocaine ... should usually be sentenced to terms of actual incarceration.")</ref>

In Saskatchewan, conditional sentences are available for trafficking in hard drugs. The appropriateness of a conditional sentences depends on several factors:<ref>''R v Pankewich'', [http://canlii.ca/t/4t6v 2002 SKCA 7] (CanLII){{perSKCA|Jackson JA}} at para 49</ref>
#the sophistication and significance of the offence and the accused's place in it;
#the type and quantity of drug;
#the motivation for the offence: those who traffic to support their own habit may be more likely to receive a restorative disposition than those who traffic for other reasons;
#the need for and the utility of the deterrence which will be provided by the sentence imposed;
#the factors relating to the community like the significance of the problem; and,
#the age, lack of record and other personal circumstances of the accused.

The Code amendments concerning conditional sentences that came into force on November 6, 2012, prohibit conditional sentence for drug trafficking.

{{reflist|2}}

==Mandatory Minimums==
Mandatory minimums were added in November 6, 2012.

The one year mandatory minimum for conviction under s. 5(3)(a)(i)(D) was found to be unconstitutional.<ref>
''R v Lloyd'', [http://canlii.ca/t/g3620 2014 BCPC 11] (CanLII){{perBCPC|Galati J}} - violates right against cruel and unusual punishment
</ref>

The two year minimum for conviction under s. 5(3)(a)(ii)(B) relating to trafficking in prison.<ref>
''R v Carswell'', [http://canlii.ca/t/hqpcg 2018 SKQB 53] (CanLII){{perSKQB|Currie J}}
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Ancillary Sentencing Orders==
{{seealso|Ancillary Orders}}
	
'''Offence-specific Orders'''
{{AOrderHeader}}
| [[DNA Orders]] ||s. 5(a) CDSA ||
* {{SecondDNA(AorB)|s. 5(a)}}
|-
| [[Weapons Prohibition Orders]] ||s. 5 CDSA ||
* {{Section109|BorC|s. 5}}
{{AOrderEnd}}

'''Circumstance-specific Forfeiture Orders'''
{{GeneralForfeitureOrders}}

'''Other Sentencing Orders'''
{{GeneralSentencingOrders}}

==See Also==
* [[Offences by Penalty]]
* [[CDSA Schedules]]
* [[Drug Trafficking, Schedule II (Sentencing)]]: Maximum penalty of life
* [[Drug Trafficking, Schedule III (Sentencing)]]: Maximum penalty of 10 years
* [[Drug Trafficking, Schedule IV (Sentencing)]]: Maximum penalty of 3 years


{{OffencesNavBar/Drugs}}