San Ignacio Residents Accuse Police of Planting Cocaine

A San Ignacio woman and a man charged with possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply allege that police planted cocaine at their residence and falsely accused them of possessing it.

Shanne Gardiner, 50, and Kirk Morgan, 56, were formally arrested and charged after police executed a search warrant at their residence on November 2.

ASP Stacy Smith confirmed that the search was conducted by personnel of the Special Tactics Response Team and resulted in the discovery of 7.3 grams of crack cocaine.

Gardiner and Morgan claim officers placed the drugs at their feet before accusing them of possession. They also allege that police had been harassing them.

Smith said the two will have an opportunity to present their claims in court and encouraged them to submit any supporting evidence to the Professional Standards Branch.

“If it is that there is any information to support that report that they’re making, I would ask them to come and make that report to the Professional Standards Branch,” Smith said.

Smith rejected the suggestion that frustration over unsuccessful searches could justify officers planting evidence.

“There is no circumstance whereby you are so frustrated that you become like the criminal themself that you are trying to interdict,” she said.