A court has ruled that $1 million in cash found by police during a search for an illegal firearm in Ontario does not lawfully belong to the man living on the property. The money was discovered in 2009 when officers were investigating an illegal handgun, prompting legal questions about ownership and the handling of found cash.
The case centered on Marcel Breton, who was found to have hidden the cash in a tub under a garage in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lawyers for Breton argued that the money was his property and should be returned upon the completion of the criminal investigation. However, the court determined that the discovered cash could not be classified as the property of the owner since it was found during an illegal search. As a result, the government has the right to keep the money.
Legal experts have noted that the ruling emphasizes the importance of law enforcement adhering strictly to legal procedures when conducting searches. The case has sparked discussions about the balance between individual property rights and the state’s power to seize property obtained through illegal means. The decision serves as a reminder that found illegal or unaccounted-for cash may be considered state property, especially when obtained through unlawful means.