Woops: NZ soldiers face court martial over alleged hashish use
Monday, March 31, 2008
2:35PM Friday March 28, 2008 New Zealand Herald
Six soldiers have been shipped out of Afghanistan back to New Zealand to face drug charges at a court martial.
The New Zealand Defence Force said the six members from the Provincial Reconstruction Team contingent in Afghanistan had returned to New Zealand on remand for trial by court martial for alleged drug use.
Six junior personnel are alleged to have used the Class B drug hashish, at the PRT base in Bamyan Province.
Kiwi troops seized drug shipments and burnt them outside their NZ army barracks, despite an unofficial policy to leave the drug shipments alone.
NZ Army Land Component Commander Brigadier Dave Gawn said a thorough investigation into the allegations resulted in the charges being laid.
The six will be disciplined if they are found to have used drugs.
Disciplinary action might result in a fine, jail sentence or dismissal.
The 107-strong reconstruction team is tasked with assisting in security and reconstruction in Bamyan Province.
Six soldiers have been shipped out of Afghanistan back to New Zealand to face drug charges at a court martial.
The New Zealand Defence Force said the six members from the Provincial Reconstruction Team contingent in Afghanistan had returned to New Zealand on remand for trial by court martial for alleged drug use.
Six junior personnel are alleged to have used the Class B drug hashish, at the PRT base in Bamyan Province.
Kiwi troops seized drug shipments and burnt them outside their NZ army barracks, despite an unofficial policy to leave the drug shipments alone.
NZ Army Land Component Commander Brigadier Dave Gawn said a thorough investigation into the allegations resulted in the charges being laid.
The six will be disciplined if they are found to have used drugs.
Disciplinary action might result in a fine, jail sentence or dismissal.
The 107-strong reconstruction team is tasked with assisting in security and reconstruction in Bamyan Province.
