Woman denied bail after drug bust

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This article was published 16/05/2022 (1580 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A woman was denied bail after police allegedly found various drugs and weapons in her residence during two search warrants.

Patience Harris, 25, is accused in the incidents from late 2021 and May 2022. She is presumed innocent until proven guilty and the charges are still before the court.

On Dec. 1, 2021, police conducted a search warrant at Harris’ residence, federal Crown attorney Laura Perron told the court. There were several people asleep in the apartment who didn’t live there at the time, one of them asleep on the floor allegedly with drug paraphernalia.

During the search, officers reportedly found a stolen phone in a purse, along with Harris’ ID, she said.

Police also found methamphetamine, including a “large chunk” in the wallet, Perron said. Another “chunk” of crack cocaine was reportedly found near the wallet.

Officers also reportedly found what is believed to be methamphetamine in Harris’ bedside table, in another room and in a desk.

Drugs and paraphernalia were allegedly found in various locations around the apartment, including cocaine in a pair of blue jeans in Harris’ bedroom, two scales inside a microwave and what is believed to be 55 morphine pills in a tinfoil ball, according to Perron.

Police also found a black imitation pistol on her nightstand, she said.

In total, Perron said police found 44.55 grams of cocaine and 14.44 grams of meth.

Then, five months later on May 10, police reportedly executed another search warrant at Harris’ residence, according to the Crown.

Officers allegedly found 5.75 grams believed to be cocaine, a homemade .22-calibre handgun, ammunition, pills, scales, knives, a baseball bat and a machete. At the time, Perron said Harris was under court order not to possess non-prescription pills.

Perron said she does not have information on where the items were found during the second search and there were other people there, but she opposed Harris being released on bail. She said she was unsure what conditions the court could put her on that would ensure she complies.

Defence lawyer Anthony Dawson raised issue with the May 10 charges, saying it’s unclear where all the items were allegedly found. Both Harris and another man were renting the house at the time and were renting rooms to several other people.

“There’s about seven people in total at this point and without any idea of the locations of these items in the house, it’s hard to draw an inference as to who had any knowledge or control over the items,” he told the court.

Harris also has Gladue factors and is trying to make a future for herself, he said.

Judge Patrick Sullivan said the decision was not easy, but he denied her release on bail, citing the repeat in allegations.

Harris is next scheduled to appear in court in mid June.

» dmay@brandonsun.com

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