Swift Current RCMP member facing drug trafficking charges

An RCMP member stationed in Swift Current is facing a pair of drug trafficking charges after an offence in Toronto earlier this month.

Const. Michael Chachula, a general duty constable stationed at the Swift Current Rural RCMP Detachment since 2012, has been charged with one count of trafficking cocaine and one of trafficking Ecstasy.

The charges were laid on Monday and Const. Chachula was immediately suspended with pay from his duties. He will be making his first court appearance in Swift Current on Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m.

"It's very disheartening that something like this has occurred and certainly this is not the norm. This type of conduct is unacceptable," RCMP Superintendent Alfredo Bangloy said during an afternoon media conference.

"He was charged with two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance. One count involved a small amount of cocaine, and the other a small amount of Ecstasy."

The drug trafficking charges are connected to an incident in the Greater Toronto Area which occurred in early January. Const. Chachula is also facing an RCMP internal code of conduct investigation.

“It is never easy to speak about investigations like these. It’s very disheartening that a serving police officer, sworn to uphold the law, is facing criminal charges.