Judge reserves decision on cocaine trafficking trial

A judge has reserved his decision until July 28 for a Medicine Hat man accused of arranging to sell cocaine to an undercover officer.

The two-day trial for Stephen Rainville wrapped up Friday, with the accused taking the stand in his own defence and testifying that he was in no way involved with the transaction, placing the blame on a co-accused.

Police officer testimony Thursday outlined the investigation that began in January 2017, after an individual was arrested on trafficking charges.

Their phone was seized and searched, with a conversation about purchasing methamphetamine found.

Posing as this individual, the officer texted this number with a new phone and ultimately arranged the purchase of a gram of cocaine. The seller called themselves “stevo” in the messages, and said that “his girl” — who they named — would make the exchange.

At the exchange site, police arrested a woman and found her in possession of 0.73 grams of cocaine. The accused was arrested sitting in his vehicle outside, with an officer testifying he observed the accused using a cellphone later identified as the one which sent/received messages.

Rainville testified that he had stopped so the co-accused could go inside for some unknown errand. He said she had left the phone — which he had never touched or used before and believed to be stolen — on the dash. He said police saw it in his hands because he was either checking the time or answering a call coming into it.

Police seized two digital scales and dime bags from the car. The accused at first testified that these were his due to his use of medical marijuana. Upon cross-examination, though, he admitted that the items could have also been from others who had been in his vehicle, and that it’s possible he was using marijuana illegally at the time although he has since received his official card.

He testified that he didn’t know the co-accused very well, but that she was related to good friends of his and he knew she was “into evil things.” He also testified that he couldn’t be the one messaging the police, as he was driving and he doesn’t text and drive, or drink and drive.

Upon cross-examination, he admitted that he has a past impaired driving conviction and was ticketed for distracted driving, and other past convictions.