Drug Offence Charges in Alberta

Drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence under Canadian law. It is more than just selling drugs — the law defines trafficking broadly to include:

• Selling or offering to sell drugs
• Giving or delivering drugs to another person
• Administering, transporting, or sending drugs
• Even introducing a buyer to a seller or helping negotiate a deal

Importantly, drug trafficking does not have to involve making money. Someone can be charged if they offer to sell drugs, or even if the substance involved is not truly illegal but is represented as a drug.

Because trafficking charges can be complex and carry severe penalties, it is critical to get advice from experienced lawyers for drug charges. At Liberty Law, our team of criminal drug lawyers in Edmonton has extensive experience defending clients against trafficking and possession charges. If you or someone you know is facing allegations of drug trafficking, contact our skilled drug crime lawyers today for a free consultation.

Simple possession is the least serious type of drug offence. It usually involves having a small or personal amount of a controlled substance. A person is considered to have possession if they:

• Have the drug on their person
• Knowingly allow someone else to hold it for them
• Store it in a place for their own use or the use of another person
• Share possession with others (known as joint possession)

On the other hand, possession for the purpose of trafficking is much more serious. It means the person not only had the drug but intended to sell, share, or distribute it. Prosecutors often prove this intent through statements or circumstantial evidence, such as:

• A large quantity of drugs inconsistent with personal use
• High purity or street value of the substance
• Packaging in many small bags or containers
• Scales, score sheets, or paraphernalia linked to drug sales
• Large amounts of cash connected to prior sales
• Being found in a known drug trafficking area
• Testimony from police “drug experts” who explain how the evidence points to trafficking

Because the difference between these two charges can mean the difference between a lighter penalty and years in prison, it’s essential to get immediate legal help. Our experienced possession lawyers and drug crime lawyers in Edmonton have successfully defended clients facing both possession and trafficking charges.

If you or someone you know is facing allegations, contact Liberty Law today to speak with a skilled lawyer for drug charges and schedule a free consultation.

No. You do not have to be the actual owner of the drug to be guilty of possession. Under Canadian law, if you agree to hold, store, or control a drug for someone else — and you know it is an illegal substance — you can still be convicted of possession.

This is because possession is not limited to ownership. It can include:

• Having the drug on your person
• Storing the drug in your home, vehicle, or another location
• Holding the drug for another person with knowledge and consent

Even if you never intended to use the substance yourself, the law considers this joint or constructive possession. That is why anyone charged with drug possession should seek advice from experienced possession lawyers or criminal drug lawyers right away.

At Liberty Law, our lawyers for drug charges in Edmonton have extensive experience defending clients against possession and trafficking allegations. If you are facing a drug-related charge, contact us today for a free consultation with a skilled drug lawyer in Edmonton.

Yes. You can still be found guilty of drug possession even if the substance was not physically on you at the time of arrest. Canadian law defines possession broadly. A person may be convicted if they:

• Have the drug in their personal possession
• Knowingly allow another person to hold it for them
• Keep it stored in a place for their own use or for someone else’s use
• Share control of the drug with others (known as joint possession)

This means that ownership is not required — what matters is knowledge and control over the substance. Because these laws are complex and penalties can be severe, it is critical to have an experienced drug lawyer in Edmonton review your case.

At Liberty Law, our skilled possession lawyers and criminal drug lawyers have successfully defended clients against charges of both simple possession and possession for the purpose of trafficking. If you or someone you know is facing drug-related charges, contact our lawyers for drug charges today for a free consultation.

Drug Treatment Court (DTC) is a specialized program in Alberta designed to help offenders who commit drug offences because of addiction. Instead of simply sending these individuals to jail, the court recognizes that treatment and rehabilitation can be a more effective solution.

Drug Treatment Courts are court-based treatment programs that supervise the rehabilitation of drug-dependent offenders. Admission into the program is selective, since resources are limited. To participate:

• The offender must apply and be accepted into the program
• The offender must plead guilty, and a conviction is registered
• Sentencing is delayed for about 12 to 18 months while treatment is completed

If the offender successfully completes the program, they will typically receive a reduced or non-custodial sentence instead of incarceration.

The benefits of Drug Treatment Court are significant:

• The offender receives treatment for their addiction
• The offender has the opportunity to avoid a lengthy jail term

Because admission into the program is rare and the legal requirements are complex, it is important to have experienced legal guidance. At Liberty Law, our criminal drug lawyers and lawyers for drug charges in Edmonton can advise you on whether Drug Treatment Court is an option in your case and help you navigate the process.

Contact our skilled drug crime lawyers today for a free consultation.

Alternative Measures, also known as Diversion, is a pre-trial process that allows certain offenders to avoid formal prosecution. Instead of being tried in court, the accused takes responsibility for their actions through a less formal process.

The key benefits of Alternative Measures include:

• No criminal record: If the program is completed successfully, the charges are withdrawn.
• Accountability without harsh penalties: The offender accepts responsibility but avoids the stigma of a conviction.
• Focused on first-time and minor offences: Typically available only to first-time offenders facing less serious charges.

Participation in an Alternative Measures Program may involve:

• Performing community service hours
• Making a charitable donation
• Writing an essay or completing another activity approved by the prosecutor

Once the requirements are completed, the charges are formally withdrawn in court, and the accused will not carry a criminal record.

Because entry into these programs depends on prosecutorial discretion and the nature of the offence, it is important to have guidance from experienced criminal defence lawyers. At Liberty Law, our lawyers for drug charges and criminal drug lawyers in Edmonton can advise whether you may qualify for Alternative Measures or other diversion options.

Contact Liberty Law today to speak with an experienced drug lawyer in Edmonton and request a free consultation.

Yes, but only under strict legal conditions. In Canada, a computer search requires specific authorization in a search warrant. This means police cannot simply go through a computer or phone without proper legal approval.

Key points about computer and phone searches:

• Computers and cell phones are treated the same — courts recognize that cell phones are essentially computers.
• The search must be reasonable — police cannot scour the entire device without limits. The search has to be no more intrusive than is necessary to achieve its purpose.
• Judges can set conditions — the authorizing justice may impose restrictions on what data can be searched and how the search is carried out.

Because computer and phone searches often involve sensitive personal information, they are heavily scrutinized by the courts. If you believe your rights were violated during a search, it is crucial to speak with an experienced drug lawyer in Edmonton. At Liberty Law, our criminal drug lawyers and lawyers for drug charges have extensive experience challenging unlawful searches of computers, phones, and other devices.

Contact our skilled possession lawyers and drug crime lawyers today for a free consultation.

Yes, but your rights are limited — and the law is complicated.

Under section 99(1)(a) of the Customs Act, border officials can search your luggage at the border. However, courts have ruled that using this provision to search personal electronic devices like cell phones and computers violates your right under section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to be free from unreasonable search and seizure. This is because such searches can be suspicion-less and unlimited in scope.

Key points to know:

• Suspicion matters: Once you become the subject of a particularized suspicion, you must be informed of your right to counsel under section 10(b) of the Charter.
• Your rights may be violated: If you are not informed of your right to counsel, your Charter rights have been breached.
• Evidence is rarely excluded: Even if a court finds your rights were violated, it is often very difficult to have evidence from your phone or computer excluded. This was confirmed in the Alberta Court of Appeal case R. v. Canfield, 2020 ABCA 383.

Because border searches of phones and computers raise complex constitutional issues, it is essential to seek help from experienced criminal drug lawyers if you are charged as a result of such a search. At Liberty Law, our skilled drug lawyers in Edmonton, possession lawyers, and lawyers for drug charges can review your case and fight to protect your rights.

Contact Liberty Law today for a free consultation with a dedicated drug crime lawyer.

Challenging a search warrant is one of the most powerful ways to defend against criminal or drug charges. In Canada, police must follow strict rules when applying for and executing a warrant. If they fail to meet those rules, the search — and any evidence it produces — may be declared unlawful.

Key legal requirements for a valid search warrant:

• The warrant must clearly state the building, location, or property to be searched.
• Police must have reasonable grounds to believe evidence will be found there (not just a hunch).
• In some cases, a lower standard applies — reasonable suspicion — but this must be supported by specific facts.
• Using the wrong standard (belief vs. suspicion) can make the warrant invalid.
• Police must not exceed the scope of the warrant.

Common reasons a warrant can be challenged:

• The officer failed to disclose the source of the information supporting the warrant.
• The warrant relied on unreliable or misleading evidence.
• Information came from a confidential informant whose credibility was questionable (e.g., criminal record, motive to lie, prior false tips).
• Key details (date, time, location) were missing or incorrect.
• Police conducted the search in an unreasonable or overly intrusive way.

How lawyers challenge search warrants:

Your defence lawyer may probe:

• The credibility of informants (criminal record, relationship to the accused, prior accuracy).
• Whether police properly corroborated the tip before seeking the warrant.
• Whether false or unconstitutional evidence was used to obtain the warrant.
• If the remaining evidence (once false information is removed) still meets the legal threshold.

If the warrant does not meet legal standards, your lawyer may file an application to quash the warrant or exclude the evidence.

Because these applications are highly technical and complex, it is critical to have skilled representation. At Liberty Law, our criminal drug lawyers and possession lawyers in Edmonton have extensive experience challenging illegal search warrants and protecting our clients’ rights.

If you are facing drug charges, contact our experienced lawyers for drug charges at Liberty Law today for a free consultation.

• A General Warrant is a special type of search warrant that can only be granted by a Provincial Court or Superior Court judge. These warrants are different from regular search warrants because they allow police to do something that would normally be considered an unreasonable search or seizure under the Charter — but is specifically authorized by the court.

  Examples of what a General Warrant might authorize include:

  • Allowing police to secretly enter a suspect’s residence to plant microphones
  • Permitting a covert perimeter search of a suspect’s property
  • Authorizing highly intrusive procedures, such as taking a bodily sample (for example, a penile swab to obtain DNA evidence)

  Unlike other warrants, General Warrants do not have to be executed during the day — they can be carried out at any time.

  Because General Warrants give police extraordinary powers, they are tightly controlled and scrutinized by the courts. If evidence against you was obtained through a General Warrant, it is essential to have it reviewed by an experienced defence lawyer.

  At Liberty Law, our criminal drug lawyers and lawyers for drug charges in Edmonton carefully examine whether warrants were lawfully obtained and executed. If your rights were violated, our skilled drug crime lawyers and possession lawyers can fight to exclude illegally obtained evidence and protect your freedom.

  Contact Liberty Law today to speak with an experienced drug lawyer in Edmonton about your case.

Yes, joint possession can be proven where there is knowledge and consent.

Computer searches require specific authorization. Phones are treated as computers, and searches must be reasonable and properly limited. Border rules are complex and continue to evolve.