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Military reports reveal soldiers, sailors busted for drug dealing

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Just goes to prove, we're not immune to society problems and are just like everyone else. 

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Military reports reveal soldiers, sailors busted for drug dealing

Reports reveal cases involving crystal meth, cocaine trafficking, marijuana grow-ops

By Kathleen Harris, CBC News Posted: Apr 23, 2015 8:12 PM ET|

Canadian sailors and soldiers have been busted in some serious drug cases, from marijuana grow-ops to importing steroids and trafficking cocaine, according to records obtained by CBC News.

Documents released by the Department of National Defence under the Access to Information Act include 25 "significant incident reports" in the last five years, and at least 11 of them record cases in 2014. The heavily censored reports flag serious incidents that could jeopardize the military's operations or public image.

One report reveals a Halifax case where three members were arrested after RCMP seized 170 pot plants, four handguns and three long guns, all unregistered. The report indicates the members had access to "sensitive information."

Arrest outside crack house

Another report refers to a member who was arrested outside a known crack house in Victoria while carrying the drug and associated paraphernalia.

One sailor on board HMCS Protecteur was returned home in connection with an RCMP and military probe into a marijuana grow-op. A total of 6.8 kilograms of cannabis was discovered in the garage and closets of a home, according to the report, and the house was condemned pending a municipal inspection and reissuing of an occupancy permit.

Some of the investigations involve RCMP or local police forces, while others are conducted jointly or exclusively by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, an independent military police unit with a mandate to investigate "serious and sensitive" matters related to military property and personnel in Canada and around the world.

Most include an assessment of how current or future military operations could be affected and gauge potential media interest; in some cases, the reports suggest media interest may increase if it becomes public that the individual involved is a military member.

Several refer to a "passive approach, reactive posture" in dealing with the media.
Defence Department spokeswoman Jessica Lamirande said the Forces have a zero-tolerance policy for prohibited drugs, and members caught using or selling drugs can face disciplinary, administrative or criminal consequences. The Canadian Forces Drug Control Program includes six types of testing to monitor and detect drug use, from blind and random sampling to mandatory tests where behaviour or incidents warrant.

'Vast majority' uphold drug rules

Lamirande stressed that the "vast majority" of Armed Forces members uphold the rules around drugs, but there are harsh consequences for those who don't.

"The Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Forces Military Police take all allegations of drug offences by CAF personnel seriously and investigate any alleged instances to determine the facts, analyze the evidence and, if warranted, lay appropriate charges," she said.

Statistics from the Forces' Provost Marshal show that between April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014, there were 224 investigations into drug offences. Of those, 142 were for cannabis, 11 for cocaine and 33 for other drugs. There were also investigations into trafficking, production and distribution of drugs — 21 for cannabis, eight for cocaine and nine for other drugs.

Maj. Robert Wuskynyk, commanding officer of the Specialized Operations Section, Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, told CBC News Network's Power & Politics the key mandate is to ensure a drug-free, operationally ready force.

His unit develops relationships with command chains across the country and drives home the zero-tolerance policy in training and other workshops. Tough penalties serve as a deterrent  and members can report bad behaviour through a tip line.

"The passion that members of the Canadian Armed Forces have with regards to other members of their profession wearing the same uniform and potentially being involved in this is disturbing among the majority of the members, and as a result it has ignited an emotion amongst everyone," Wuskynyk told host Chris Hall.

Some recent incidents from 2014 in the report:
■Feb. 25, 2014, in North Waterford, N.S. A member was arrested and charged with possession of an illegal substance for the purpose of trafficking. Member was not publicly identified as a military member, and the report described possible media interest "when/if identified as mil mbr."
■March 20, 2014. A member absent without leave was arrested for possession/trafficking by Ontario Provincial Police in Orillia; public affairs action is "passive approach, reactive posture. Media lines were drafted, though at the time, the media inquiries to date were 'zero.'"
■June 12, 2014, in Barrie, Ont. Two members were observed interacting with a known drug dealer and were arrested at the front gates of CFB Borden with bags of cocaine.
■June 25, 2014, Kingston, Ont. A case of possession of marijuana, sex assault and possession of marijuana for trafficking.
■July 28, 2014, RCMP and military police execute a search warrant in Denwood, Alta. (where CFB Wainright is located) and find drugs, weapons and ammunition.
■Aug. 16, 2014, in Gagetown, N.B. A case of suspected drug trafficking when a member is stopped regarding a headlamp and military police find marijuana, crystal meth and a large quantity of drugs in pill form in the vehicle.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/military-reports-reveal-soldiers-sailors-busted-for-drug-dealing-1.3046559
 
CAF members come from Canadian society.  Drugs are a problem in our society.  Having said that, I personally would have no issue reporting anyone in my line of work who had a drug problem, tech or flyer.
 
Its a supply and demand situation. Substances are used for self-medicating and coping with stress. That is why military needs to be aggressive about finding help so people don't turn to easier and numbing ways of coping... its part of mental health and emotional well-being.
 
jemgirl said:
Its a supply and demand situation. Substances are used for self-medicating and coping with stress. That is why military needs to be aggressive about finding help so people don't turn to easier and numbing ways of coping... its part of mental health and emotional well-being.

And some members are just sh!t pumps who do drugs for the fun of it.
 
jemgirl said:
Its a supply and demand situation. Substances are used for self-medicating and coping with stress. That is why military needs to be aggressive about finding help so people don't turn to easier and numbing ways of coping... its part of mental health and emotional well-being.

I'm calling BS on this. I will grant you that SOME use drugs to cope with stress.....but that is very poor coping mechanism and using "I'm so stressed I had to use illicit drugs to cope" is NO excuse.

 
Hamish Seggie said:
I'm calling BS on this. I will grant you that SOME use drugs to cope with stress.....but that is very poor coping mechanism and using "I'm so stressed I had to use illicit drugs to cope" is NO excuse.

And taking into consideration this article is stating mainly Trafficking, Production - not necessarily use - points more toward the complete lack of integrity and loyalty to the service, their country, and Her Majesty and indicates a more selfish need of making lots of money and fast.

Edit: Which leads to the suspicion that they were using the uniform and their service as a front to play off suspicion. Why? Because the general public and The Service, expect better from the members. Large majority of service members would not compromise their integrity thus tarnishing the service by committing such egregious violations.
 
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