CITY SOLDIERS CHARGED AFTER DRUG RAID

The fate of two city soldiers is in the hands of their commanding officers
after military police raided their homes looking for drugs. Senior officers
at the Edmonton Garrison will have to decide whether to recommend kicking
the pair out of the army.

One of the soldiers has been charged by military police with trafficking in
marijuana following a raid on Dec. 10 of last year. The other has been
charged with possession of marijuana, but his wife has been charged with
trafficking in the drug.

"At the moment the relevant papers are in the hands of the members'
commanding officers who will deal with them," said garrison spokesman Capt.
Marc Potvin.

"Drug matters are usually dealt with by a summary trial, but the member can
elect to be court-martialled."

He said the female will be dealt with in civilian court. Potvin said in most
cases someone guilty of possession for the first time would be sent for
counselling, but someone found guilty of trafficking would be released.

"I don't think this points to a drug problem at the Edmonton Garrison or
within the Canadian military," said Potvin.

"There is no evidence that drug abuse is any greater or lower than for the
rest of Canadian society. But we have a policy of zero tolerance and anyone
using illegal drugs will be caught and prosecuted."

Potvin declined to identify the two soldiers' units.