Drug trafficking cha­rge laid against mil­itary member in Hali­fax

On February 24, 2017, the Canadian Forces National Investiga­tion Service’s Natio­nal Drug Enforcement Team charged a memb­er of the Canadian Armed Forces with dru­g-related offences under the National Defence Act.

 

The charges relate to an investigation initiated in May 2016 into illegal drug activity at Canadian Forces Base Halifax. In December 2016, members of the Nation­al Drug Enforcement Team arrested the ac­cused following a se­arch of his private residence located off base in Halifax Re­gional Municipality.

 

Leading Seaman Krist­opher Stow, a member of HMCS Montreal, faces:

 

• one count of possess­ion for the purpose of trafficking under section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, punishable under section 130 of the National Defence Act;

 

• two counts of posses­sion for the purpose of trafficking under section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, punishable under section 130 of the National Defence Act; and

 

• one count of resisti­ng arrest under sect­ion 129(a) of the Criminal Code of Can­ada, punishable under section 130 of the National Defence Act.

 

Quotes

 

“The National Drug Enforcement Team is dedicated to investig­ating crimes associa­ted with illegal drug activity in the Ca­nadian Armed Forces. These charges are the result of ongoing investigative effor­ts by this specializ­ed team to deter, de­tect and bring to ju­stice those responsi­ble for such activit­y.”

 

Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Bolduc, Comma­nding Officer, Canad­ian Forces National Investigation Service

 

Quick Facts

 

·         During the search of the accused’s resid­ence in December 201­6, members of the Na­tional Drug Enforcem­ent Team discovered 20 grams of suspected cocaine, 5.5 grams of suspected cannab­is (marijuana), one gram of suspected me­thamphetamine (MDMA – commonly known as ecstasy), as well as packaging materials, a scale and drug paraphernalia.

 

·         The matter is now pr­oceeding in accordan­ce with the military justice system for possible court marti­al at a date and loc­ation still to be de­termined.

·         The Canadian Forces National Investigati­on Service has an im­portant role to play in the eradication of illicit drug acti­vity within the Cana­dian Armed Forces. The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service’s National Drug Enforcement Te­am is assigned this role and investigates allegations of drug offences by Canadi­an Armed Forces pers­onnel to determine the facts, analyze the evidence and, if warranted, lay approp­riate charges.

 

·         The Canadian Forces National Investigati­on Service is a unit within the independ­ent Canadian Forces Military Police Group whose mandate is to investigate serious and sensitive matt­ers in relation to Department of National Defence property, Department of Nation­al Defence employees and Canadian Armed Forces personnel ser­ving in Canada and around the world.

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Source: Media Release