80 SAILORS, MARINES IN N.C. CONVICTED

2-year Drug Inquiry Done By Navy, State And Local Authorities

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 yesterday.

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 smaller numbers of people. A recent drug scandal at the Air
Force Academy, for example, implicated 38 cadets.

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., 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 by the Camp Lejeune public affairs office.

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

The operation included 105 separate investigations and ended June 19.

Officials said that more details would 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 that 99 percent 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.

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.

Marine Corps officials said that though they are 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.