TWO SAILORS BUSTED IN UNDERCOVER DRUG PROBE

Two Halifax-based sailors face a military court-martial after they were
arrested for trafficking ecstasy, cocaine and marijuana.

The two sailors were arrested in Halifax at their work places by military
police yesterday after a three-week undercover investigation involving
members of the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service.

The two are charged under the National Defence Act and will face a military
court rather than civilian justice.

Military police say the two sailors were arrested without incident. But few
other details about the investigation and the arrest are being revealed.

"It's a very small amount," said Maj. Gilles Sansterre, commanding officer
of the NIS Support Detachment. "These cases are really rare. Most people in
the military conform to the drug-free environment and are ready for
deployment."

The military has a zero tolerance policy for drug use. The National
Investigation Service enforces that policy and investigates serious and
sensitive matters relating to DND property and Canadian Forces personnel in
Canada and overseas.

A military police report obtained last month by The Daily News identified
CFB Halifax as one of a handful of military bases with a significant amount
of illicit drug use or trafficking incidents. The report said marijuana is
the illegal drug of choice.