80 CONVICTED IN MILITARY DESIGNER DRUG PROBE

Authorities in North Carolina have seized $1.4 million worth of narcotics
and have convicted more than 80 Marines and sailors for using or
distributing designer drugs, officials said Tuesday. It was one of the
biggest drug investigations involving the military in recent years.

Officials said that a two-year investigation, code-named Operation
Xterminator, was conducted by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service
office at Camp Lejeune, N.C., with state and local authorities.

The investigation began in February 2000 after Camp Lejeune officials were
alerted that a large number of service members were frequenting clubs in
Wilmington where designer drugs were prevalent, according to a statement
released by the Camp Lejeune public affairs office. The drugs involved were
ecstasy, cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine, Marine Corps officials said.