PROBE TARGETS ECSTASY USE OF MARINES

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Tipped two years ago that Marines were using and
selling the club drug Ecstasy, investigators opened what became the largest
military-drug probe in recent years and arrested dozens of service
personnel on the corps' biggest East Coast base.

Authorities seized $1.4 million worth of illegal drugs, including 31,000
tablets of Ecstasy, 13,000 doses of LSD, 56 ounces of the "date rape" drug
GHB, 4,783 grams of cocaine and 405 units of steroids.

Investigators said Wednesday that 84 Marines and sailors were charged and
82 have been convicted in military courts. That included 61 people accused
of distributing Ecstasy and 23 accused of using it. None of those arrested
was an officer.

Those convicted will be dishonorably discharged at the end of their
sentences, which range from three to 19 years, and will lose pay and
veterans' benefits. Ninety-nine civilians also were charged and most of
their cases are pending in state courts.