Canadian soldiers charged with drug trafficking

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS), the investigative arm of the Canadian Forces Military Police, has charged twelve members of the Canadian Forces (CF) with drug-related offences at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright on June 15, 2010.

Investigation process

CFNIS investigations are completed in accordance with Canadian police standards. An investigation includes interviews of all persons of interest, collection of evidence, and analysis of all of the information collected.

The charges were laid after an investigation led by the CFNIS’s National Drug Enforcement Team, with the assistance of the Military Police Detachment at CFB Wainwright, and the RCMP "K" Division Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) Team. The RCMP also assisted the investigation with the provision of a police drug detection dog.

Findings

The CFNIS charged twelve former and current CF members with more than 70 offences on June 15, 2010. Following are the detailed charges:

Ex-Private David McKinnell was charged with one count of production of a controlled substance contrary to section 130 of the National Defence Act (NDA), pursuant to section7(2)(c) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA); two counts of trafficking of a controlled substance contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 5(1) of the CDSA; one count of disobeying a court order, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 127(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC); one count of pointing a firearm, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 87(1) of the CCC; seven counts of possession of a controlled substance, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 4(1) of the CDSA; and six counts of controlled substance use, contrary to section 129 of the NDA;

Private Matthew Wright was charged with one count of production of a controlled substance, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section7(2)(c) of the CDSA; two counts of trafficking of a controlled substance, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 5(1) of the CDSA; three counts of possession of a controlled substance contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 4(1) of the CDSA; and four counts of controlled substance use, contrary to section 129 of the NDA;

Ex-Private Michael Masserey was charged with two counts of trafficking of a controlled substance, contrary to section 130 of the NDA pursuant to section 5(1) of the CDSA; two counts of possession of a controlled substance, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 4(1) of the CDSA; one count of failure to comply with conditions, contrary to section 101.1 of the NDA; and three counts of controlled substance use, contrary to section 129 of the NDA;

Private Glen Morgan was charged with one count of trafficking of a controlled substance contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 5(1) of the CDSA; two counts of possession of a controlled substance, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 4(1) of the CDSA; and two counts of controlled substance use, contrary to section 129 of the NDA;

Private Benjamin Humphrey was charged with five counts of possession of a controlled substance, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 4(1) of the CDSA; and five counts of controlled substance use, contrary to section 129 of the NDA;

Private Dominique Malette was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 4(1) of the CDSA; two counts of controlled substance use, contrary to section 129 of the NDA; and two counts of stealing, contrary to section 114 of the NDA;

Ex-Private Melyssa Lake was charged on May 19, 2010, with one count of possession of a controlled substance, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 4(1) of the CDSA; and three counts of controlled substance use, contrary to section 129 of the NDA;

Private Clayton Taylor was charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 4(1) of the CDSA; and three counts of controlled substance use, contrary to section 129 of the NDA;

Corporal Thomas MacDougall and Private Michael Polack were charged with one count each of possession of a controlled substance, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 4(1) of the CDSA; and two counts each of controlled substance use, contrary to section 129 of the NDA;

Private Claude Roger Rocan was charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance, contrary to section 130 of the NDA, pursuant to section 4(1) of the CDSA; and one count of controlled substance use, contrary to section 129 of the NDA; and

Private Jeffrey Brennan was charged with three counts of controlled substance use, contrary to section 129 of the NDA.
Types of drugs involved

The drug production charges are related to the manufacture of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a type of hallucinogenic drug. This was confirmed by Health Canada following laboratory analysis of samples seized.

The drug trafficking charges are related to ecstasy, cannabis, and some prescription drugs.

The drug possession charges are related to cannabis, ecstasy, DMT, cocaine, and some prescription drugs.

The drug use charges are related to cannabis, ecstasy, DMT, cocaine and some prescription drugs.

Next steps

The files of the accused will now be referred to the Director of Military Prosecutions (DMP) who will decide whether to proceed or not to court martial (preferral of charges).