Drug and Weapon Charges Laid Against Two Canadian Armed Forces Members

From: Office of the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal

Feb 7, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

On Feb 6, 2024, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) charged Bombardier (Bdr) Nathan Saunders of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at CFB Petawawa.

Bdr Saunders faces the following Charges:

• Possession of schedule 1 substance, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Section 4(1)
• Trafficking of a schedule 1 substance, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Section 5(1)
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking a schedule 1 substance, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Section 5(2)
• Careless storage of a firearm, Criminal Code, Section 86(1)
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Criminal Code, Section 88(1)

On Feb 6, 2024, the CFNIS charged Corporal (Cpl) Rickardo Bryce of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group at CFB Petawawa.

Cpl Bryce faces the following charges:

• Possession of schedule 1 substance, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Section 4(1)
• Trafficking of a schedule 1 substance, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Section 5(1)
• Possession for the purpose of trafficking a schedule 1 substance, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Section 5(2)

On 14 December 2023, Military Police received a complaint that two Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members were trafficking cocaine and other drugs to CAF members at CFB Petawawa as well as civilians from the area. 

On 15 December 2023, the CFNIS Hateful Conduct, Extremism, Drugs & Gangs Enforcement (HEDGE) team assumed investigative responsibility for this file.

During the arrest, the HEDGE team seized crack cocaine, cocaine and methamphetamine with an approximate street value of $35,000 as well as drug trafficking paraphernalia, $5000 cash and one handgun.

The charges were laid in civilian court and the matter will now proceed through the civilian justice system.