November 1st, 2018 – Ottawa – National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces
On October 29, 2018, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) charged a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with trafficking stolen goods-related offences under the Criminal Code of Canada.
The charges relate to alleged stealing, possession, and trafficking of stolen goods by the accused between early December 2015 and early March 2017 at or near Ottawa, ON. The total amount of goods diverted was approximately $23 500. The majority of the items were returned to the Military Police by the accused in the process of the investigation. A quantity had been sold online. None of the items sold were weaponry or serialized and sensitive military items.
Corporal Pedro COLLIER, a member of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command based in Ottawa, faces the following charges:
- One count of Theft over $5000 under section 322 of the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC);
- One count of Possession of property obtained by crime under section 354 of the CCC;
- One count of Possession of a prohibitive device under section 92(2) of the CCC;
- One count of Trafficking in stolen goods under section 355.2 of the CCC; and
- One count of Breach of trust under section 122 of the CCC.
The police investigation began on 06 March 2017 by CANSOFCOM Military Police when a third party reported to Military Police of suspicions over the source of items sold online. The CANSOFCOM MP initiated the investigation upon reception of complaint and later transferred it to CFNIS based on the significant estimated cumulative value of missing items at that moment.
"Theft, breach of trust and misappropriation of Department of National Defence property are illegal acts and are taken seriously by the Military Police. This was a lengthy investigation and I commend the work ethic and dedication on the part of our investigators to seek the facts and where appropriate lay the applicable charges."
Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin Cadman, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces National Investigation Service
Quick facts
In all cases, the subject of charges is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The matter is now proceeding through Civil Court at Ottawa Provincial Court House.
The CFNIS is a specialized unit established within Canadian Forces Military Police Group (CFMP Gp). Its primary mandate is to investigate serious and sensitive matters in relation to Department of National Defence (DND) property, DND employees and CAF personnel serving in Canada and around the world.
The CFMP Gp and the CFNIS conduct police investigations independently, without interference and in accordance with the highest professional standards.
