TROOPS LURED BY DRUG TRADE, REPORT WARNS

Military Cites 'High Probability' Some Canadians Will Become Drug
Traffickers While in Afghanistan

OTTAWA-There's a "high probability" some Canadian troops serving in
Afghanistan - one of the world's biggest sources of illegal drugs -
will get involved in the drug trade, a military police report warns.

"Access to illicit drugs in Afghanistan is routine," reads the report
obtained by the Star.

"Easy access to heroin, hashish, cannabis presents a temptation for
(Canadian) troops in the form of personal use and in the form of
importation for the purpose of trafficking," it reads.

It notes that using and trafficking drugs are illegal and "contrary
to the ethos" of the Canadian Forces, but concedes some of the 2,500
troops serving in the war-torn nation might not be able to resist.

The findings are outlined in a series of military police documents
obtained by the Star under Access to Information legislation. The
documents, requested in November 2007, were released last month.

One report cites a July 2007 search by military police officers,
aided by a drug sniffer dog, of a Canadian convoy returning from Spin
Boldak, on the Pakistan border.

The report says the dog "indicated" on one of the armoured vehicles
as well as a heavy logistics vehicle that had been loaded on a
flatbed trailer. "The results of the search do not provide sufficient
evidence to substantiate any charges. However, the results are
indicative that (Canadian) personnel may be involved in the use and
traffic of illicit substances," the report said.

"Based on a variety of indicators (pre-deployment urinalysis, easy
access to illicit drugs and investigations of illicit drug use),
there is high probability that some (Forces) personnel will involve
themselves in the drug trade," it notes.

However, the report also notes that several random investigations of
Canadian Forces personnel and their baggage at the Kandahar base
using a drug sniffer dog in July 2007 found no illicit drugs.

Still, a separate report notes that Canadian Forces personnel at home
and abroad are not immune to the risk of illegal drugs, warning that
the drug of choice is marijuana, followed by cocaine, ecstasy and
methamphetamine.

In 2006, the military police conducted 198 drug investigations - 28
for trafficking and 170 for possession - a "significant spike" for the year.

"Illicit drug use and trafficking is present at most, if not all,
(Canadian Forces) establishments across Canada and abroad," the 2006
national criminal intelligence assessment reads.

"While most (Canadian Forces) members involved in illicit drug
activity are trafficking drugs to support their habits, there is a
small percentage that are associating themselves closer with
organized criminal groups involved in the distribution of drugs," it says.

A military spokesperson said since the Canadian Forces is a
"microcosm" of the larger population, "it is reasonable to expect
that a small percentage of CF members will, at one time or another,
use illegal drugs."

In an email, Melanie Villeneuve said that every military member is
tested for illegal drug use prior to deployment and if the person
fails the test, that person will remain in Canada. And she said that
military police officers deployed in Afghanistan conduct random
searches of personnel, baggage and vehicles.

"Military police take all allegations of criminal activity and drug
offences by (Canadian Forces) personnel seriously and investigate to
determine the facts, analyze the evidence and, if warranted, lay
appropriate charges," she said.

A separate military police report also gives a window into crime
trends among Canadian troops in Afghanistan. The report, covering
February to August 2007, notes the most prevalent complaints are
property losses (34), motor vehicle accidents or damage (24) and
rules-of-engagement probes (11); 13 investigations including heroin
importation; and there were two cases of "negligent" weapons discharges.

Other incidents during that period include:

17 thefts, most involving clothing and personal electronics, although
one motorcycle was stolen.

Five lost weapons. Three were lost during operations, including two
that fell off armoured vehicles.

10 security breaches, including the loss of a memory stick containing
secret information. A separate memory stick containing secret
documents - and nude pictures - was found plugged into an
unclassified computer. And the report says that images of night
operations were posted on YouTube for public viewing for five months.

Two incidents where defence department personnel operated a vehicle
after consuming alcohol.