SHILO, Man. – Charges have been laid against a Manitoba-based soldier who is accused of trafficking in cocaine.

The Canadian Forces Provost Marshal and Canadian Forces Military Police Group says one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one of possession of a prohibited weapon have been laid against a master corporal at Canadian Forces Base Shilo.

Lieut. Blake Patterson, a military spokesman, says an investigation was launched into the suspect last Nov. 23 by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service.

Patterson says the soldier was arrested by military authorities during a traffic stop off the base on Jan. 15 and alleges he had 32 grams of cocaine in his possession.

A search of his home the same day found pepper spray and various drug paraphernalia, including packaging and a digital scale.

Brent McCarthy, who is with 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, is facing charges laid under the National Defence Act and remains free, pending a possible court martial.

The Department of National Defence said in an email that McCarthy joined the military in January 2008.

It said he was deployed for one tour in Kabul, Afghanistan, from June to October 2013.

McCarthy did basic training at Canadian Forces Leadership Recruit School in St. Jean, Que., and infantry training at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta.

He has been at the Shilo base since finishing infantry training.

DND did not provide a hometown for McCarthy.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said cocaine was found in a home.