1001431319Ottawa – On August 15, 2016, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) laid charges under the National Defence Act against Aviator Nicholas Burrell of 14 Wing Greenwood.
The alleged offences relate to an investigation that resulted in the seizure of more than half a kilogram of marijuana, packaging materials, production equipment and a non-military firearm from the residence of the accused on May 14, 2016.
“The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service National Drug Enforcement Team takes all suspected drug offences by Canadian Armed Forces personnel seriously and investigates to determine the facts, analyze the evidence, and if warranted, lay appropriate charges. These charges reflect the effectiveness of ongoing efforts by the team to eradicate drug use within the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Bolduc, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces National Investigation Service in a released statement.
Aviator Burrell faces the following charges:
- One count of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in accordance with section 130 of the National Defence Act, pursuant to section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- One count of Production of Substance in accordance with section 130 of the National Defence Act, pursuant to section 7(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
- One count of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm in accordance with section 130 of the National Defence Act, pursuant to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada;
- one count of Unsafe Storage of Firearm in accordance with section 130 of the National Defence Act, pursuant to section 86(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada;
- One count of Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose in accordance with section 130 of the National Defence Act, pursuant to section 88 of the Criminal Code of Canada; and
- One count of Careless Use of Firearm in accordance with section 130 of the National Defence Act, pursuant to section 86(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The rank of aviator is equivalent to private in the Canadian Army and able seaman in the Royal Canadian Navy.
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 (DND) property, DND employees and Canadian Armed Forces personnel serving in Canada and around the world.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service has an important role to play in the eradication of drug use within the Canadian Armed Forces. The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service National Drug Enforcement Team is assigned this role and investigations have resulted in charges being laid against Canadian Armed Forces members for both drug use and drug trafficking.
