Former head of Halton police drug squad facing charges

By News Staff

A 16-year member of the Halton Regional Police force is facing several charges following a seven-month internal and external investigation.

A statement released by Halton police says in the fall of 2016, an anomaly was discovered in a drug exhibit by members of the drug and morality unit, triggering a comprehensive internal audit of all drug exhibits seized by police.

The investigation revealed approximately 30 exhibits had been tampered with, all involving prescription or illicit opioids, most notably Oxycontin.

Toronto police were called in to provide an independent, external criminal investigation, which resulted in the arrest of Staff Sergeant Brad Murray, who was in charge of the drug and morality unit during the period the alleged offences occurred from January 2013 to May 2016.

Murray is facing two charges of breach of trust, two charges of theft and one charge of obstructing justice.

Murray is scheduled to appear in court on June 27. He also faces disciplinary action under the Police Services Act. He has been suspended with pay.

The allegations against Murray are also expected to impact a number of trials at which the exhibits were scheduled to be entered into as evidence. Halton chief Stephen Tanner says it’s uncertain at this time just how many of those prosecutions will be withdrawn.

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