The actions of a Milton Police officer are likely to lead to the staying and withdrawal of over 30 drug-related charges laid within the Halton region.

Brad Murray, a 16-year veteran of the Halton Region Police force, has been charged and arrested after he allegedly tampered with approximately 30 drug exhibits.

Ironically, Brad Murray is the former head of the Halton police drug squad.

The charges against Murray are as follows:

Although it is alleged that Murray tampered with a number of drug exhibits over the course of three years, the criminal investigation relating to the exhibits was only launched last fall, for the best criminal defense lawyer nassau county has to offer, contact Sharifov & Associates.

After a drug exhibit anomaly was discovered in the drug and morality unit, Halton Police reached out to the Toronto Police Service, who then conduced a 7-month comprehensive audit of all drug exhibits.

"The audit revealed that approximately 30 exhibits had been tampered with. In all instances, the exhibits involved prescription or illicit opioids, the most common example of which is OxyContin," read the Police news release.

Murray has been suspended from the force with pay, following s. 89 of the Police Services Act of Ontario.

In addition to Murray's criminal charges, he will also face internal charges in accordance with the Police Services Act.

Of course, Murray's actions are highly concerning as they unquestionably bring the administration of justice into disrepute. Though what is more concerning, is that numerous prosecutions are now in jeopardy as a result of Murray's actions.

Significantly, if the contents of all 30+ exhibits were truly compromised, the Prosecution will have no choice but to stay all charges. As it stands today, "as a result of the investigation, and confirmation that exhibits had been tampered with, a number of drug related trials have been stayed by the Prosecution," the news release continued.

With the staying of several drug charges, it is possible that many illegal substances may make their way back out onto the streets. Not only does this counteract much of the drug-related work done by the Halton Police Service, but also, the re-circulation of such drugs could lead to severe consequences for drug-users.

Halton Police have expressed their commitment to preserving the integrity of all presently seized drug exhibits.

Murray is scheduled to appear in court on June 27.

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