TWO SAILORS CHARGED WITH TRAFFICKING COCAINE

VANCOUVER -- Two Canadian sailors stationed in British Columbia have
been charged with drug-trafficking, the latest in a string of alleged
illicit drug activities within the navy.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service - an independent
military police unit - on Tuesday charged Ordinary Seaman Christopher
Ellis and Ordinary Seaman Matthew Lee, both stationed at the Canadian
Forces Fleet School at CFB Esquimalt.

OS Ellis was charged with two counts of trafficking and two counts of
drug use, while OS Lee was charged with one count of trafficking, all
involving cocaine. CNIS officials said they received information about
cocaine use in February and used an undercover operative to
investigate.

Captain Richard Langlois, public affairs officer with the Department
of National Defence, said the charges are being taken very seriously.

"Not only is it illegal, but it is also a huge threat associated with
not being alert enough to protect yourself, and protect others," he
said.

The navy launched a review of its drug-testing program after military
trials exposed widespread cocaine and trafficking aboard armed
military patrol ship HMCS Saskatoon last month. The scandal aboard the
ship - which was also stationed at CFB Esquimalt - allegedly involved
as many as a third of the crew.

After an undercover probe by the Canadian Forces, four sailors were
dismissed and two have been convicted of cocaine trafficking.

Jason Ennis, 24, was convicted of cocaine use last month in a military
court and fined $2,000. He testified that between 10 and 12 of the
ship's 31-member crew used cocaine regularly in January, 2006, the
time of the investigation.

However, he told the court he didn't use drugs while on the
ship.

Two other crew members were convicted of trafficking earlier this
year.

Sonya Robert, 27, and Brenda Murley, 28, both pleaded guilty to
selling a half-gram of cocaine to an undercover military drug officer.
Both were fined $500.

In October, former chief petty officer Robert Carlson will face a
court-martial on charges of trafficking and disgraceful behaviour,
making him the highest-ranking sailor charged in connection with the
investigation.

However, Capt. Langlois said it is not a widespread problem throughout
the ranks.

The Canadian Forces has a zero-tolerance policy on drug use, and has a
pro-active program of testing, he added.