OFFICERS CHARGED IN BOTCHED DRUG BUST

Two Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers were charged with
attempting to obstruct justice today in connection with a botched
drug bust last year at Mississauga's Pearson International Airport.

The officers, who work out of the airport, have been suspended from
duty amid the accusations of misconduct.

The charges were laid after two officers intercepted a shipment from
Vancouver to Hamilton in February of 2005 and allegedly opened it
without a court-issued warrant.

The shipment was being tracked by members of the Toronto Airport Drug
Enforcement Unit.

Ultimately, the accused officers obtained a search warrant but
investigators allege they had already been opened and inspected the shipment.

Upon opening the shipment the officers discovered a large amount of
methamphetamine, a stimulant known on the streets as "speed."

Sgt. John MacLeod, 51, and Const. Brian Boulton, 29, were charged
Wednesday with attempting to obstruct justice by opening a shipment
of suspected drugs without a court authorized search warrant.