Canadian Supreme Court Expands Police Powers in Opioid Crisis Ruling
In a split decision, the court ruled that exigent circumstances justified warrantless access to text messages in a drug sting involving fentanyl-laced heroin.
- Supreme Court of Canada ruled 6-3 that police acted lawfully in a 2017 drug sting by responding to text messages on a seized phone without a warrant.
- The court deemed the urgent threat posed by fentanyl-laced heroin sufficient to override constitutional privacy protections under exigent circumstances.
- The case involved Dwayne Alexander Campbell, who was arrested after police impersonated another suspect to arrange a meeting, leading to the seizure of 14 grams of fentanyl-laced heroin.
- The majority opinion emphasized the immediacy of the opioid crisis as a national public health emergency, justifying swift police action to prevent harm.
- Dissenting justices warned the ruling risks broadening police powers and undermining privacy rights, cautioning against normalizing warrantless searches in less urgent cases.
The Globe and Mail 
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