Pubdate: Sat, 30 Oct 1999
Source: Everett Herald (WA)
Copyright: 1999 The Daily Herald Co.
Contact:  http://www.heraldnet.com/

MEXICAN SOLDIERS STUCK IN BARRACKS AFTER DRUG THEFT

Mexico City - In a fresh embarrassment for its anti-narcotics efforts, the 
Mexican military announced Friday that it was investigating several 
soldiers for stealing about 15 pounds of cocaine from seized shipments that 
the army was supposed to incinerate.

In an unusually sweeping investigation, the army has confined the 96th 
Infantry Battalion to its barracks in recent days, administering 
drug-detection tests to most of the 560 members in the unit. The battalion 
is based in Chihuahua, about 120 miles southwest of the Texas border.

An official said it wasn't clear whether the thieves intended to sell the 
cocaine or use it themselves.

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