Pubdate: Wed, 04 Jul 2002 Source: San Antonio Express-News (TX) Copyright: 2002 San Antonio Express-News Contact: http://www.mysanantonio.com/expressnews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/384 Author: Robert Burns, Associated Press N.C. DRUG RAIDS NAB 84 MARINES, SAILORS WASHINGTON - 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 Tuesday. It was one of the biggest drug investigations involving the military in recent years. A recent drug scandal at the Air Force Academy implicated 38 cadets. Officials said Tuesday that a two-year investigation, code-named Operation Xterminator, was conducted by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service office at Camp Lejeune, N.C., outside 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 the Camp Lejeune public affairs office. The drugs involved were ecstasy, cocaine, LSD and methamphetamine. The operation included 105 separate investigations and ended June 19. Officials said more details would be released today at Camp Lejeune. The investigation led to drug charges against 84 active-duty service members. A Marine Corps official said 99 percent of those charged were convicted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. 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. Navy regulations require all Marines and sailors to take a urinalysis examination every year. Marine Corps officials said that while they're 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek