View source for Expert Evidence in Drug Trafficking

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==General Principles==
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{{seealso|Drug Trafficking}}
In considering whether to qualify an officer as an expert in drug related fields of expertise, the question is not whether the witness knows more than the average officer but rather whether there is expertise to explain the vagaries of drug trafficking milieu.<ref>
R v N.O., [http://canlii.ca/t/22ms4 2009 ABCA 75] (CanLII)
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It is not relevant evidence to have an expert qualified in the customs of the drug trade to comment on his familiarity of the use of blind couriers on the issue of establishing the ''mens rea'' of trafficking.
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R v Sekhon, [http://canlii.ca/t/g35qf 2014 SCC 15] (CanLII)
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An expert is entitled to develop that expertise "by observations of the drug trade, by talking to other experts, and by general involvement in policing of the drug trade".<ref>
R v Plourde, [http://canlii.ca/t/hn86q 2017 ABCA 367] (CanLII), at para 6 - ("An expert on drug activity is entitled to develop that expertise by observations of the drug trade, by talking to other experts, and by general involvement in policing of the drug trade.")<br>
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==Example Areas of qualification==
Courts have previously accepted the following area of expertise relating to drugs:
* relationship between couriers, overseers and contact persons in drug importation<ref>
R v Hui 1988, O.J. No. 1881 (ONCA) {{NOCANLII}}</ref> 
* how drug traffickers work <ref>
R v Joyal, [http://canlii.ca/t/1pj99 1990 CanLII 3344] (QC CA)</ref>
* drug trafficking transactions <ref>R v Ballony-Reeder, [http://canlii.ca/t/4zf2 2001 BCCA 293] (CanLII)</ref>
* intention to traffick <ref>R v Bryan, [http://canlii.ca/t/6xxg 2003 CanLII 24337] (ON C.A.) </ref>
* pricing and jargon <Ref>
R v Fougere (1988), 40 CCC (3d) 355 (NBCA){{NOCANLII}}<br>
R v Somerville, [http://canlii.ca/t/fqctg 2012 NBCA 23] (CanLII)</ref>
* monetary value of hash and heroin <Ref>R v Mohammadi, [http://canlii.ca/t/1nx77 2006 QCCA 930] (CanLII)</ref>
* impairment by drug recognition expert evidence<ref>c.f. R v Thomas, [http://canlii.ca/t/frv4c 2012 BCPC 215] (CanLII)<br>
R v Cripps, [http://canlii.ca/t/g6lx5 2014 ONCJ 189] (CanLII)<br>
</ref>
* the how marijuana is grown, the stages of growth, activities surrounding a grow operation, the effect of moisture on the plants during harvest.<ref>Somerville{{supra}}</ref>
* significance of short notice bookings and cash payments as indicators of drug importation schemes.<ref>R v Lewis [http://canlii.ca/t/frmm7 2012 ONCA 388] (CanLII)</ref>
* "the production, manner of use, packaging, distribution, prices, consumption patterns, paraphernalia, jargon, practices and habits of users, practices and habits of traffickers, and the observable effects of cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy." <ref>
R v Qureshi, [http://canlii.ca/t/fkpvf 2011 ABPC 92] (CanLII) at para 22<br>
R v N.O., [http://canlii.ca/t/22ms4 2009 ABCA 75] (CanLII), [2009] AJ No 213</ref>
* "drug trafficking, drug hierarchies, the meaning of coded language, and police anti-detection techniques"<ref>
R v Dritsas, [http://canlii.ca/t/fvfbw 2012 MBQB 339] (CanLII)</ref>

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==See Also==
* [[Drug Trafficking (Offence)]]
* [[Established Fields of Expert Evidence]]