Petawawa Canadian Armed Forces member charged with drug trafficking

Cpl. Philippe Serge Léveillée of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment was arrested and charged with drug-related offenses under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act on Feb. 7.

The charges relate to an investigation into illegal drug activity at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa.

Members of the National Drug Enforcement Team searched the private residence of Léveillée on Feb. 3 and found one ounce (28 grams) of suspected cocaine and 20 grams of suspected cannabis, along with packaging material, a scale, and other drug paraphernalia. The Team subsequently arrested Léveillée and his civilian brother David Joseph Léveillée, who resides with him.

The two individuals face two counts of Possession for the purpose of trafficking under section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and two counts of Possession of a substance under section 4(1) of the Act.

“The National Drug Enforcement Team specifically targets drug offenders within the Canadian Armed Forces. Their investigation of this case and subsequent charges against these individuals speaks to the effectiveness of this specialized team to help prosecute drug offenders and eradicate illicit drug activity within the Canadian Armed Forces,” said LCol.  Francis Bolduc, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces National Investigation Service.

The case is now going forward through the civilian justice system and will be brought forward in the Ontario Provincial Court, Pembroke, ON, on March 7.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is a unit within the independent Canadian Forces Military Police Group, that plays an important role in eliminating illicit drug activity in the CAF. The National Drug Enforcement Team is charged with the role of investigation allegations of drug offenses by CAF members and, if warranted, lay appropriate charges.