Pubdate: Wed, 03 Jul 2002
Source: Winston-Salem Journal (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Piedmont Publishing Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.journalnow.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/504
Note: The Journal does not publish letters from writers outside its daily 
home delivery circulation area.
Author: Associated Press

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. 
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