9 MARINES CHARGED WITH SELLING, USING DRUGS; SOME FACE HEARINGS

CAMP PENDLETON - Nine Marines from an infantry battalion have been charged
with selling or using drugs, and some face grand jury-type hearings next
week.

Many of the charges involve Ecstasy, the so-called club drug that has
plagued military and civilian police departments as the cheap, easily
obtainable pills have grown in popularity.

Marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine also were allegedly involved.

Pendleton officials said that they won't identify those charged because it
may compromise a continuing investigation but that all are corporals or
lower-ranking members of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.

"Our investigations in this matter represent our best efforts to root drug
users (and) dealers out of our Corps," said Capt. Joseph Plenzler, a base
spokesman. "Drugs have no place here."

The investigation started after a Marine tested positive for drugs in a
routine urinalysis, a test given randomly throughout the Marine Corps.

Questioning of the Marine revealed more in the battalion were involved, said
Capt. Alison Salerno, a base spokeswoman.

On Aug. 1, 25 Marines from the battalion were called in for questioning, and
some were arrested that day.

Some of those charged will receive the military equivalent of grand jury
hearings next week, after which they may face general court-martial. Others
will be tried in lesser courts.

The Marine Corps has cracked down on Ecstasy and other club drugs in the
past few years.

In July, the service disclosed a two-year drug investigation at Camp
Lejeune, N.C., in which 82 Marines and sailors were convicted and $1.4
million in drugs was confiscated. The crimes involved distribution and use
of drugs such as Ecstasy, ketamine and GHB.

Also, about 25 Marines from Pendleton's 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment,
were court-martialed on drug distribution and use charges from March to
November 2001, base officials have said. Others got administrative
punishments