Republished January 21, 2015 - 4:09 PM
Original Publication Date January 21, 2015 - 12:55 PM
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. - A Mountie based in southwestern Saskatchewan is facing drug-related charges that allegedly happened in the Toronto area.
The RCMP says the 31-year-old officer was arrested in Swift Current on Monday and charged with trafficking cocaine and ecstasy.
There's also an internal code of conduct investigation.
Michael Chachula (chah-CHOO-luh) has been with the force for almost seven years and in his current post in Swift Current since 2012.
RCMP Supt. Alfredo Bangloy says under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the offence can be prosecuted where it occurred or where the person is arrested.
He is to appear in Swift Current court on Feb. 18.
Police say the charges were laid after an investigation by the Moose Jaw Police Service uncovered information about the alleged offences.
Moose Jaw police were investigating an unrelated criminal complaint against Chachula at the time.
“It is never easy to speak about investigations like these," Bangloy said Wednesday.
"It’s very disheartening that a serving police officer, sworn to uphold the law, is facing criminal charges.”
Chachula has been suspended with pay.
(CJME, The Canadian Press)
News from © The Canadian Press, 2015