FIVE SOLDIERS TO BE COURT-MARTIALLED ON DRUGS, THEFT CHARGES

Five New Zealand Army soldiers are to face drugs and theft charges in
separate courts martial at Linton Camp near Palmerston North this month.
The five soldiers, all privates, were charged with consumption, possession
and supply of cannabis as well as theft in September last year following a
joint operation between military and civilian police at Linton Camp .

Army spokesman Major Kendall Langston said today in a statement the courts
martial will begin on March 15 and are expected to take between one and
three days each.

The soldiers were charged under the Armed Forces Discipline Act after a
tip-off led to the discovery of the drugs at Linton in September.

Maj Langston said the army did not condone the use of illegal drugs and
operated a random and frequent drug-testing regime.