Couple accused of distributing cannabis had run out of Halloween candy: search warrants
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/01/2023 (975 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A Winnipeg couple say they ran out of candy to hand out on Halloween night when it is alleged they topped up their treat bowl with strictly adult cannabis-laced confections.
The revelation is included in newly available search warrant documents prepared by police prior to searching the Tuxedo home of Sheldon Chochinov and Tammy Sigurdur last November.
The couple was arrested one day after police received complaints from several parents, who said their children had returned home that night with Nerds Rope candies that contained 600 mg of THC each in their treat bags.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.
The candies appeared to be professionally packaged and on superficial viewing looked similar to conventional candy products.
None of the children, aged from six to 16, who reported receiving the candies had eaten them, police said at the time.
Search warrant documents say one of the children’s parents provided police with a pair of possible Coleraine Crescent addresses where the candies might have come from, including the address of the two accused, saying those were the last houses his children had visited before returning home.
Police issued a public advisory that night to warn parents about the drug candies.
Criminal defence lawyer Richard Wolson contacted Winnipeg police on the couple’s behalf the following afternoon, search warrant documents say.
“Chochinov disclosed that he and his wife, Tammy Sigurdur… had observed a media release from (Winnipeg Police Service) earlier in the day regarding the distribution of THC candy in the Tuxedo neighbourhood,” Const. Paul Babiak wrote in a Nov. 1 search warrant application.
“Chochinov disclosed to Wolson that the two ran out of candy on Halloween night and distributed the THC candy from their personal ‘stash,’” Babiak wrote.
“Chochinov disclosed to Wolson that this was a mistake made when under the influence and both he and his wife regretted what they had done.”
Wolson did not reply to a request for comment on Tuesday.
“Chochinov disclosed to Wolson (defence lawyer) that the two ran out of candy on Halloween night and distributed the THC candy from their personal ‘stash’.”–Const. Paul Babiak in search warrant application
University of Manitoba assistant law professor Brandon Trask, a former prosecutor, said the couple’s alleged disclosure may prove problematic as the case moves forward.
“It may be very difficult for them to mount a defence at this stage… assuming these comments are deemed admissible, which is not guaranteed,” Trask said.
Police said they needed a search warrant so they could preserve evidence at the couple’s home.
“I believe that additional THC candy packages… will be located inside (their home),” Babiak wrote.
“At the time of writing this warrant to search, members of the WPS major crimes unit are attending to (the home) to place Chochinov and Sigurdur under arrest and to prevent the destruction of any evidence. As both Chochinov and Sigurdur are aware that WPS is investigating this occurrence, I believe they may attempt to destroy evidence linking them to this occurrence.”
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Neighbours shocked by Halloween cannabis candy charges against ‘friendly’ couple
Neighbours who spoke to the Free Press in early January expressed disbelief at the allegations against the couple, who are parents.
“I don’t believe it was them,” said a neighbour who did not want to provide his name. “I believe that it might have happened, they have enough proof that those Nerds were in the Halloween treats, but I just don’t believe they knew it, or they did it on purpose in any way shape or form.”
Chochinov and Sigurdur have each been charged with 13 counts of distributing cannabis to a young person and 13 counts of distributing cannabis knowing it is illegal.
The charges against them have not been proven in court and they are considered innocent.
The couple’s next court date is Thursday.
dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca
Dean Pritchard is courts reporter for the Free Press. He has covered the justice system since 1999, working for the Brandon Sun and Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 2019. Read more about Dean.
Every piece of reporting Dean produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
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