Drug Evidence Tossed Due to Rights Violations by B.C. Judge

Hey, you know about that drug case in Vernon? A judge said the RCMP messed up big time, violating the guy’s rights in many ways. The Mounties even worked with civil forfeiture people, trying to keep his Jeep unfairly.

The case involves Nabil Abdelkader. Police thought he sold drugs and found meth and cocaine in his Jeep back in 2020. The judge made two rulings about the evidence.

It all started with a hit-and-run earlier that year, when his Jeep hit a cyclist in a parking lot. Two passengers attacked the cyclist. Police then grabbed the Jeep from Abdelkader’s garage.

They sent the case to civil forfeiture folks. Drug cops took over when they suspected him, despite him having no prior criminal record. Police found a hidden compartment in the Jeep containing drugs in sealed packages. They didn’t have a warrant to open it.

The court threw out the drug evidence. The judge said the hit-and-run probe was a trick, aimed at catching Abdelkader for drug dealing. Civil forfeiture officials helped with a weak claim to seize the car.