Search warrant: Winnipeg couple used their 'stash' to hand out THC candy to children on Halloween
New documents show what led to a couple handing out cannabis-infused gummies to children in Winnipeg - and what happened in the hours directly after.
Sheldon Chochinov (63) and Tammy Sigurdur (52) have both been charged with 26 offences under the Cannabis Act tied to their actions on Oct. 31, 2022, when the couple allegedly gave out THC candies to multiple children in South Tuxedo.
A Winnipeg Police Service search warrant application for the couple's home, dated a day later on Nov. 1, was issued in part because investigators were concerned the couple may try to destroy incriminating evidence.
Written by Const. Paul Babiak, the document also provides details on what Chochinov and Sigurdur did as soon as they found out they could face criminal charges.
The document states that Chochinov contacted criminal lawyer Richard Wolson after reading a WPS release warning residents of the reports of THC candy found in children's Halloween candy.
Wolson, in turn, got in touch with WPS investigators and informed officers about the nature and details of the call.
According to the document, Chochinov told Wolson that the entire incident was a "mistake" made when "under the influence." The two had run out of candy and decided to hand out their own personal "stash" of THC candy, adding he and his wife regretted their actions.
The candy in question consisted of Ziploc bags filled with medicated marijuana "Nerds" candy and seemingly name-brand candy bars.
More than a dozen families reported kids between six and 16 found edibles in their treat bags in packaging that resembled candy.
After hearing from Wolson, WPS investigators confirmed Chochinov and Sigurdur lived at a home on Coleraine Street.
"As both Chochniov and Sirgurdur are aware WPS is investigating this occurrence, I believe they may attempt to destroy evidence linking them to his occurrence," wrote Const. Babiak.
Seven boxes containing 15 packs of "Nerds" gummy clusters were seized at the residence, along with an Apple iPhone.
"There was an ample supply of normal non-THC infused candy at the ready and therefore the THC infused Nerds candy was not distributed as a result of a rushed last minute mistake but instead criminal negligence," states a grounds for seizure of property document.
Wolson and Chochinov’s defence lawyer Evan Roitenberg declined a request for further comment from CTV News.
Chochinov and Sigurder are facing 13 counts of causing bodily harm by criminal negligence, 13 counts of administering a noxious thing with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm, 13 counts of distributing cannabis to a young person and 13 counts of distributing illicit cannabis.
None of the charges against Chochinov and Sigurdur have been proven in court and their respective trials are ongoing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza's Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army ordered some 100,000 Palestinians on Monday to begin evacuating from the southern city of Rafah, signaling that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent and further complicating efforts to broker a cease-fire in Gaza.