THUNDER BAY -- The trial for a man accused of drug trafficking ended abruptly after he was found not guilty minutes after the proceedings began.
Thomas Lacoste was charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, but on Dec. 29, 2014, Justice Helen Pierce ruled that key evidence, including 17 kilograms of seized marijuana, was inadmissible after defence lawyer Christopher Watkins filed a constitutional challenge as to whether the officers were justified in stopping the defendant.
Lacoste’s trial was scheduled to begin Monday at the Thunder Bay Courthouse, originally with a jury, but last Thursday, the Crown and defence re-elected to have the trial by judge alone.
On Monday, Lacoste was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the charge and the Crown said they had no further evidence.
The accused was then found not guilty.
“I’m happy that it’s over with,” said Lacoste shortly after the trial.
“It was really stressful for the past year. I’m just really glad that it’s all done.”
Lacoste was arrested on Oct. 8, 2013 between Marathon and White River by Marathon OPP officers shortly after officers had been told to be on the lookout for a “small, white car, possibly a Chevrolet Cobalt” following a reported gas theft in White River.
He was pulled over in a silver Honda, which was owned by his boss, and was not questioned about the gas theft.
The two officers noticed what they believed to be traces of marijuana on the passenger seat, which led to a search of the trunk where it is alleged that three garbage bags of marijuana was found.
The owner of the vehicle had a license to grow medical marijuana and told officers that Lacoste did not put the bags in the trunk.