Two men have been cleared of a raft of drug and weapons offences, in part because a judge ruled their condo in Vancouver's trendy Yaletown was too much of a party pad to ensure the illegal goods belonged to them.
B.C. Supreme Court Judge Terence Schultes has convicted James Raich of two counts of possessing a Glock handgun without the proper paperwork, while Barry Espadilla has been found guilty of two drug possession charges.
The men were charged after an Integrated Gang Task Force raid on their rented suite two years ago.
A total of eight guns, including one with a silencer, bullet-proof vests, ammunition, drug paraphernalia and cocaine and heroin worth $30,000 were seized.
Raich was convicted in connection with the Glock because it was found tucked under his mattress while Espadilla admitted the drugs were his, but both were cleared of the remaining charges because the judge ruled there wasn't enough evidence to prove they had knowledge or control over the items.
The trial heard several people had unauthorized keys to the apartment, visitors sometimes entered without being "buzzed up" and guests slept over after weekend parties.
