www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/08/13/bc-hmcscocaine.html

Cocaine widespread on Canadian warship, court martial told
3rd sailor from HMCS Saskatoon convicted of drug charges

Last Updated: Monday, August 13, 2007 | 8:27 AM PT
CBC News


Cocaine was used regularly by about one-third of the crew members of a warship stationed at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt near Victoria, a military court has heard.

The details emerged Friday at the court martial of Jason Ennis, 24, one of four former sailors from HMCS Saskatoon who were discharged from the military after being charged with various drug offenses in 2006.

The court acquitted Ennis of trafficking but convicted him of cocaine use, levying a $2,000 fine.

Ennis told the court martial that 10 to 12 members of the 31-member crew on HMCS Saskatoon used cocaine regularly in January 2006.

The court also heard from Chief Petty Officer Leonard Hern, who was transferred to HMCS Saskatoon in January 2006 in order to deal with the drug problem.

"In my 38-year-long career, I have never seen such an appalling sight," Hern told the court. "The ship was disorganized, there was no discipline, and no trust among the crew."

The Canadian Forces launched an undercover operation in January 2006, after receiving complaints about widespread cocaine use on HMCS Saskatoon, a minesweeper in the Canadian Navy.

Hern told the military court he found the ship's crew divided into two camps: the quiet ones who didn't use drugs and the others, described by Hern as the most senior members, that ran the ship.

Two crew members, 27-year-old Sonya Robert and 28-year-old Brenda Murley, have already pleaded guilty in the case and were each fined $500.

The ship's former chief petty officer, Robert Carlson, has been charged with possession and trafficking. His court martial is scheduled for the fall.

Carlson is the highest-ranking military member to have been charged with drug offenses.

Ennis entered a drug rehab centre after being charged, but Hern dismissed him from duty shortly after his return because he suspected Ennis of using again.

HMCS Saskatoon is a Kingston-class maritime coastal defence vessel, launched in 1998 and crewed almost entirely by members of the Naval Reserve. The vessel has multiple roles, including minesweeping, training and coastal patrol.

Those crazy Canucks!

Woot!  Bring on the hookers!

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!