ELEVEN SOLDIERS FACE PUNISHMENT FOR ILLEGAL DRUG USE

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) -- Two military police officers will face
courts-martial on charges of using and distributing illegal drugs, Fort
Bragg officials said Friday.

The Army charged the soldiers after a two-month investigation and plans to
hold court-martial proceedings for each of them. Both of the soldiers hold
the rank of specialist.

Nine other military police officers from the 16th Military Police Brigade
will receive lesser punishments for use of Ecstasy, LSD or marijuana,
officials said. Two received reductions in rank.

The names of the punished soldiers have not been released.

Most of the activity took place in Fayetteville nightclubs and homes.

One of the officers faces a general court-martial on three counts of
distribution of Ecstasy, one count of using Ecstasy and one count of
communicating a threat. The MP could be sentenced to 53 years in prison. A
second MP is charged with one count of using LSD, one count of distributing
Ecstasy and one count of using Ecstasy. The soldier could be confined for
no more than six months and be forced to forfeit two-thirds of his pay for
up to six months.