News (Media Awareness Project) - US NC: N.C. Drug Raids Nab 84 Marines, Sailors |
| Title: | US NC: N.C. Drug Raids Nab 84 Marines, Sailors |
| Published On: | 2002-07-04 |
| Source: | San Antonio Express-News (TX) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-08-30 07:32:10 |
N.C. DRUG RAIDS NAB 84 MARINES, SAILORS
WASHINGTON - Authorities in North Carolina have seized $1.4 million
worth of narcotics and have convicted more than 80 Marines and sailors
of using or distributing designer drugs, officials said Tuesday.
It was one of the biggest drug investigations involving the military
in recent years. A recent drug scandal at the Air Force Academy
implicated 38 cadets.
Officials said Tuesday that a two-year investigation, code-named
Operation Xterminator, was conducted by the Naval Criminal
Investigative Service office at Camp Lejeune, N.C., outside
Jacksonville, along 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, N.C., where designer drugs were prevalent,
according to the Camp Lejeune public affairs office.
The drugs involved were ecstasy, cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine.
The operation included 105 separate investigations and ended June
19.
Officials said more details would be released today at Camp
Lejeune.
The investigation led to drug charges against 84 active-duty service
members. A Marine Corps official said 99 percent of those charged were
convicted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Of the 84 charged, 61 were accused of distributing drugs and 23 were
accused of using them.
An additional 99 civilians were charged by civilian
authorities.
Officials provided no information on the sentences meted out to
convicted military members.
Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the maximum punishment for
wrongful distribution of drugs is confinement for 15 years,
dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of all pay and allowances.
For wrongful use of drugs, the maximum punishment is confinement for
five years, dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of all pay and allowances.
Navy regulations require all Marines and sailors to take a urinalysis
examination every year.
Marine Corps officials said that while they're concerned by any
illicit drug use, the 84 service members charged in the investigation
represent only 0.001 percent of the 50,000 to 60,000 Marines and
sailors who served in the Camp Lejeune area during the time of the
investigation.
WASHINGTON - Authorities in North Carolina have seized $1.4 million
worth of narcotics and have convicted more than 80 Marines and sailors
of using or distributing designer drugs, officials said Tuesday.
It was one of the biggest drug investigations involving the military
in recent years. A recent drug scandal at the Air Force Academy
implicated 38 cadets.
Officials said Tuesday that a two-year investigation, code-named
Operation Xterminator, was conducted by the Naval Criminal
Investigative Service office at Camp Lejeune, N.C., outside
Jacksonville, along 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, N.C., where designer drugs were prevalent,
according to the Camp Lejeune public affairs office.
The drugs involved were ecstasy, cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine.
The operation included 105 separate investigations and ended June
19.
Officials said more details would be released today at Camp
Lejeune.
The investigation led to drug charges against 84 active-duty service
members. A Marine Corps official said 99 percent of those charged were
convicted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Of the 84 charged, 61 were accused of distributing drugs and 23 were
accused of using them.
An additional 99 civilians were charged by civilian
authorities.
Officials provided no information on the sentences meted out to
convicted military members.
Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the maximum punishment for
wrongful distribution of drugs is confinement for 15 years,
dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of all pay and allowances.
For wrongful use of drugs, the maximum punishment is confinement for
five years, dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of all pay and allowances.
Navy regulations require all Marines and sailors to take a urinalysis
examination every year.
Marine Corps officials said that while they're concerned by any
illicit drug use, the 84 service members charged in the investigation
represent only 0.001 percent of the 50,000 to 60,000 Marines and
sailors who served in the Camp Lejeune area during the time of the
investigation.
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