16 Marines arrested on human smuggling, drug charges
https://nypost.com/2019/07/25/16-marines-arrested-on-human-smuggling-drug-charges/
Sixteen US Marines were arrested at Camp Pendleton in California on Thursday during battalion formation for alleged illegal activities ranging from human smuggling to drug-related offenses, according to the 1st Marine Division.
“Information gained from a previous human smuggling investigation precipitated the arrests,” a statement said.
“None of the Marines arrested or detained for questioning served in support of the Southwest Border Support mission,” it added.
Two Marines — Byron Darnell Law II and David Javier Salazar-Quintero — were arrested July 3 for allegedly transporting unauthorized immigrants as part of a smuggling operation.
Eight other Marines were questioned for their involvement in alleged drug offenses unrelated to Thursday’s arrests, the Marine Corps said.
Division officials and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service carried out Thursday’s dramatic arrests.
The 16 suspects range in rank from private first class to corporal, or E-2 to E-4, according to 1st Lt. Cameron Edinburgh, a division spokesman.
Their names and details of their alleged offenses were not immediately released.
“1st Marine Division is committed to justice and the rule of law, and we will continue to fully cooperate with NCIS on this matter,” the statement says.
“Any Marines found to be in connection with these alleged activities will be questioned and handled accordingly with respect to due process.”