Pubdate: Thu, 04 Jul 2002 Source: Log Cabin Democrat (AR) Copyright: 2002 The Log Cabin Democrat Contact: http://thecabin.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/548 Author: Estes Thompson, Associated Press Writer 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom