By Canadian Press

RCAF aviator in Nova Scotia facing charges after marijuana and a weapon seized

Aug 16, 2016 | 10:33 AM

GREENWOOD, N.S. — A member of the Royal Canadian Air Force faces drug and firearms charges after investigators said they seized marijuana and a non-military firearm from his Nova Scotia home.

Canadian Forces investigators say Aviator Nicholas Burrell of 14 Wing Greenwood was charged Monday under the National Defence Act.

They say the gun, more than half a kilogram of marijuana, packaging materials, and production equipment were seized from Burrell’s home on May 14.

Burrell is accused of possession of illegal drugs for the purpose of trafficking, as well as with producing illegal drugs. He faces four gun charges, including unauthorized possession, unsafe storage, and careless use of a firearm.

Lt. Blake Patterson, a military police spokesman, said Tuesday the equipment seized was capable of producing hash oil.

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A photo of items seized from shows bags of a green substance, an older-model long gun and more than $1,000 in cash.

Burrell is a construction technician who was in training until January. He is currently employed “in a non-sensitive role” with Wing Administration Branch at Greenwood, said Capt. Matt Zalot, a public affairs officer.

Lt.-Col. Francis Bolduc, commanding officer of the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS), said the charges “reflect the effectiveness of ongoing efforts by the team to eradicate drug use” within the Forces.

Greenwood is the largest air base on Canada’s east coast.

It is the second time this month a Nova Scotia member of the Canadian Armed Forces has faced drug and weapon charges.

Last week, Forces investigators said they had charged Leading Seaman Marshall Smith of HMCS Athabaskan with drug and weapons offences.

Drugs had been found in his vehicle during a routine security check May 5 at an entrance to CFB Halifax, CFNIS said. An improperly stored shotgun was allegedly found the next day at his home.

“The two cases were not related,” said Patterson.

Daniel Le Bouthillier, the head of media relations for National Defence, said the Forces take all illegal activities seriously.

“We are, obviously, concerned with all misconduct which is why we address them swiftly,” he said.

The Canadian Press