Drugs intercepted en route to Lax Kw’alaams

The Prince Rupert RCMP’s Rural section arrested adult two males on January 21st, as they were preparing to board the Spirit of lax Kw’alaams ferry. Upon investigation 1.5 kilograms of marijuana were seized, allegedly destined for the North coast community.

The Daily News provided some background on the incident and on the RCMP’s drug interdiction program.

Drug haul found on Simpson ferryboat
The Daily News
Tuesday, January 27, 2008
Page one

Two people were arrested last week after allegedly attempting to board the Spirit of Lax Kw'alaams ferry with 1.5 kilograms of marijuana.

The two adult males, both residents of Lax Kw'alaams, were arrested on Wed., Jan. 21 by Rural Section members of the Prince Rupert RCMP before boarding the ferry in Prince Rupert.

Rural Section members consider the 1.5 kgs of marijuana to be a significant drug seizure, and believe the drugs' destination was the small coastal community. The RCMP is dedicated to targetting drug trafficking and always asks for public assistance to identify and report any information regarding trafficking, especially in the rural communities.

Anyone with information regarding drug trafficking is urged to contact the Prince Rupert RCMP at 627-0700, or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222- TIPS(84 77). People calling CrimeStoppers are completely anonymous, and they are never asked for their name or phone number. Call display is never used and callers will never have to testify in court. CrimeStoppers pays up to $2,000 cash rewards for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Suddenly it became very clear why the Saskatoon volunteered for drug interdiction tours

Canada's Pacific fleet is under the microscope after word that there appears to have been a rather serious drug problem on HMCS Saskatoon.

A Military court heard testimony that a full one third of the ship's company were regularly using cocaine while posted aboard the Saskatoon, leaving the ship in a rather messed up state.

A Petty Officer who was transferred to HMCS Saskatoon in January 2006 in order to deal with the drug problem found his fellow sailors to be in an us against them scenario. With up to twelve members of the 31 person crew using the drug and basically controlling the remaining sailors who just kept a low profile and hoped for the best.

Chief Petty Officer Leonard Hern, detailed a ship seemingly out of control and telling a tale that could rival the Caine Mutiny, said Hern: "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."

Robert Carlson the former Chief Petty Officer, which in the Navy is pretty well the guy that runs the show for Non commissioned officers has been charged with possession and trafficking. His court martial is scheduled for the fall.

The Saskatoon made frequent stops in Prince Rupert over the last few years as part of its duties on the Pacific coast, crewed almost entirely by members of the Naval Reserve.

The tale of the Saskatoon will no doubt become a text book case for Naval Justice at how fast a ship can slip out of control of its officers and lead to the old axiom of the inmates running the asylum!