80-PLUS GUILTY IN DRUG INQUIRY ON MILITARY BASE

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. Although narcotics cases in the military are not rare, they
usually involve fewer people. A recent drug scandal at the Air Force
Academy, for example, 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 of 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 a
statement released Tuesday by the Camp Lejeune public-affairs office.

The drugs involved were Ecstasy, cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine, Marine
Corps officials said.

Officials said more details will be released at a news conference today at
Camp Lejeune.

The investigation led to drug charges against 84 active-duty service
members. A Marine Corps official said most of those charged were convicted
under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and two cases are pending.

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.

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.