Can cops dump your booze?

[pokeroo]

So I was at the liquor store the other day buying some scotch, and the clerk asked if I wanted a receipt. I said no and he ask if I was sure, then explained that the police can now seize and dump all your liquor if you fail to produce a receipt even if its unopened and out of reach. He then added that some of his customers have reported the cops doing this when they were walking home with their liquor. I asked about this to a friend on facebook and another friend gave me an anecdote:

"cops stopped a car of a friend of mine, asked to open the trunk, found a 12pack of beer, opened each bottle and slowly dumped it all away...some context: there was a house party and lots of drunk people. my friend's car wasx first to leave. friend was designated driver and totally sober, rest of the car not so. so cops stopped first car, and where dumping all the alcohol while rest of the party was going awayi have no idea how a "receipt" makes it illegal for cops to dump the alcohol (from your friend's comment)"

For clarity, I want to know what the law in Canada says about this. I am living in Alberta, and my friend that responded lives in Ontario. What if someone gives you a bottle of liquor as a present and you don't have the receipt?

[submessenger]

Seems a little over the top, just not having a receipt if/when otherwise legal to have said beverages. Speaking as a 'murican, I've had my beer seized and poured out, before, but I was underage at the time. I just went and got more beer.

Haven't read any rules/regs on it, but in my particular case, I really had no recourse. See also the cases of the guys who complain to the cops when somebody steals their illegal drugs.

[Permalost]

What difference does a recipt make?

[pokeroo]

What difference does a recipt make?

As its been explained to me, the receipt means that the cops have to have a reason to take and dump your liquor. I was buying a $50 bottle of single malt scotch at the time, and I sure would have been mad if it had been seized and poured out. Maybe this is hyperobole based on cops doing this to people who were inebriated or underage, but the law is so complicated these days its hard to know. Also since in Canada we have a common-law system this could be very messy.

[slamdunc]

Maybe this is hyperobole based on cops doing this to people who were inebriated or underage, but the law is so complicated these days its hard to know.

Sounds like ^^^^ this ^^^^ is a logical thought. I have no idea how the laws work in Canada, as I've only been there two times. No rationale for the arbitrary seizure / destruction of personal property. If you were underage, it is a given.

[Cake of Doom]

Over here in the UK we have alcohol control zones, town centers, residential areas etc. where the police can seize and dispose of booze if the bottle or can or whatever is open or you're deemed to be drunk. Never heard of this happening for no reason though but hey, GO CANADA!

[Vieux Normand]

What happens will depend on how competent the patrol was in pursuing actual criminals.

If the cops involved are not so competent in this, they'll ramp up their quot...er, "numbers" by going after ordinary people for next to no reason.

Think of it as working on commission. The more "sales" a cop gets, the better the chances of being noticed by the right brass and of otherwise justifying their existences. If they can't get their "sales" from real criminals, they'll look to find something on you, the ordinary taxpayer.

Just your hard-earned tax dollars, hard at work...

[Cake of Doom]

Traffic offences are the big "money spinner" over here. It's the one area with guaranteed "sales".

[goodlun]

I would have been on the phone immediately with the guys watch commander for stopping me to begin with in this sort of situation. Even more so for what would be here an illegal search and seizure.

[W. Rabbit]

What difference does a recipt make?

You can use a receipt in court.