VANCOUVER ISLAND

Members of Canadian navy vessel charged with drug offences in Japan

CTV Vancouver Island Published Wednesday, February 3, 2016 4:37PM PST

The HMCS Winnipeg (front), is shown with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and Pakistani Navy maneuver for a photo opportunity together in the Indian Ocean at the conclusion of a two-day joint naval exercise in this 2013 file photo. (WO Carole Morissette)

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ESQUIMALT, B.C. - The Canadian navy says two members of a warship have been charged with drug offences by Japanese police.

The charges follow a port visit to Tokyo by HMCS Winnipeg, a Halifax-class frigate with a crew of about 250 personnel.

The navy says in a news release that police detained two military members and a civilian employee on Monday for the alleged use of a controlled substance.

It says police released one of the military members but have charged the other two with use of a controlled substance.

The navy says it will work with Canadian consular officials and Japanese authorities and will support the individuals who are being held in custody and their families at home.

The Canadian Armed Forces has a zero-tolerance policy for the possession and use of illicit drugs.