Alberta RCMP officer arrested, charged over allegedly aiding ‘foreign actor’

An Alberta front-line RCMP officer has been arrested and charged in what the police force calls a national security investigation involving allegations of aiding a foreign actor.

In a statement Tuesday, the force alleged the individual “accessed non-Top Secret RCMP records systems in order to assist a foreign actor.”

The RCMP said on learning of the breach, it implemented measures to monitor, mitigate and manage any further unauthorized disclosures and ensure the maintenance of public safety as its investigation unfolded.

Const. Eli Ndatuje of the Alberta RCMP has been charged with breach of trust, unauthorized use of a computer and breach of trust with respect to safeguarded information.

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The suspect is expected to make a court appearance at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer, Alta. on March 11 and RCMP said the criminal investigation is ongoing.

“The RCMP is committed to combatting foreign actor interference at all levels and is actively leveraging all tools at its disposal,” the force said.

“Foreign interference takes on many forms and it is critical that all organizations are aware of the potential harm at any levels. The RCMP will pursue any form of interference, whether internal or external, and this is a good example of the efforts being made.”

Mounties have not provided details on the duties of the suspect or the type of information accessed.

Court records say Ndatuje is accused of communicating or agreeing to communicate “safeguarded information on the Canadian Police Information System to a foreign entity … the Republic of Rwanda.” The system provides information about crimes and criminals.

The records also allege that, as a police officer, he committed a fraud or a breach of trust in connection with the duties of his office.

They say the offences were committed in Red Deer, Alta., on April 23, 2022.

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There have been other recent high-profile cases involving information breaches.

William Majcher, a resident of Hong Kong, is accused of using his knowledge and his extensive network of contacts in Canada to obtain intelligence or services to benefit the People’s Republic of China.

His lawyer has told a court in Longueuil, Que., where that case is being heard, that Majcher intends to plead not guilty to charges under the Security of Information Act of conspiracy and committing preparatory acts for the benefit of a foreign entity.

In November, a jury found Cameron Jay Ortis, a former RCMP intelligence official, guilty of three counts of violating the Security of Information Act and one count of attempting to do so. The jury also found Ortis guilty of breach of trust and fraudulent use of a computer system.

Last week, Ortis, who led an RCMP group that assembled classified information on cybercriminals, terror cells and transnational criminal networks, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

He pleaded not guilty in court to all charges, including breaking the secrets law by revealing classified information to three individuals of interest to police in 2015 and trying to do so in a fourth instance.

In January, a 911 operator in Calgary was accused of intentionally pulling data from searches on individuals involved in organized crime then providing the information to others involved in that activity.

Mariana Buonincontri, 58, was charged with breach of trust, fraudulent use of a computer system and mischief related to computer data. She is to appear in court next month.

—With files from the Canadian Press