An RCMP officer from Surrey, B.C., is facing 15 criminal charges for a wide range of drug and weapons offences, the force announced Tuesday morning.

Const. David M. Clarke, 35, has been charged with breach of trust for possessing stolen property, including marijuana, identification documents and police property, and for trafficking in marijuana.

He has also been charged with possession of stolen property and 13 offences related to the illegal possession of firearms. The types of weapons involved include FN FAL and Remington Mohawk semi-automatic rifles, a Colt handgun, a Glock 9mm handgun and a Mossberg pump-action shotgun.

Police allege Clarke committed the offences in Chilliwack. He appeared in Surrey provincial court on Tuesday morning and is scheduled to make his next court appearance there on Jan. 18, 2011, police said.

RCMP spokesperson, Sgt. Rob Vermeulen said police first learned of the alleged offences from a member of the public on Oct. 1. Clarke was subsequently suspended with pay, but a process is underway to change the suspension to without pay, he said.

"Const. Clarke will remain suspended until all of these matters, both criminal and internal, have been dealt with," said Surrey detachment Chief Supt. Fraser MacRae.