COP FACES MORE DRUG CHARGES

A 37-year-old provincial cop first arrested last summer for drug
possession has been charged in connection with a larger narcotics
investigation.

The OPP officer was first charged last August after he was pulled
over during a traffic stop on Hwy. 416 and police found a small
amount of marijuana. At the time, he was reassigned to administrative
duties at Grenville OPP detachment.

The OPP and RCMP have been investigating drug and contraband
cigarette trafficking in the Prescott area. OPP Sgt. Kristine Rae
said police have been working on the case since 2005.

Police say the OPP officer was off-duty at the time of the incidents.
He has now been suspended from duty with pay.

Const. Maurice Morrissette of Kemptville is charged with one count of
trafficking a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a
controlled substance and two counts of obstructing justice. He is
scheduled to appear in a Brockville court today.

Morrissette was a cop with the Prescott municipal police force before
joining the OPP.

Rae said she couldn't go into details about the charges for
obstructing justice.

More arrests are anticipated. Anyone who can provide information to
police can contact the Kingston RCMP detachment at 1-800-559-5991, ext. 227.