Officials within the Canadian Forces say they have arrested and charged a crew member serving on board HMCS Athabaskan after he was found in possession of a quantity of illegal drugs.
“On August 5, 2016, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) laid charges under the National Defence Act against Leading Seaman Marshall Smith,” said a release issued by the Department of National Defence on Wednesday morning.
The charges against Smith were laid exactly three months after security officials said they found “controlled substances” in his vehicle during a routine check at the entrance of Canadian Forces Base Stadacona in Halifax on May 5.
Information about the exact type of drug or drugs found has not been released.
READ MORE: Two members of Canadian naval warship charged with drug offences
A shotgun that had allegedly been improperly stored was also found at Smith’s home the next day. He is charged with one count of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of unsafe storage of a firearm under the National Defence Act.
“The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service National Drug Enforcement Team is assigned an important role in the eradication of drug use within the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Lt.-Col. Francis Bolduc, commanding officer of Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, in the release.
“These charges reflect our ongoing commitment to fully investigate drug offences and to help ensure a drug-free environment within the Canadian Armed Forces.”
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