Eye On Military Drug Runners

Marines and sailors sworn to protect the nation are accused of taking part in illegal drug-smuggling rings, reports Reporter Liz Purcell of CBS affiliate KFMB-TV in San Diego.

Their training and skills make them valuable recruits for drug traffickers. Some Marines allegedly are signing up with major drug rings. Five drug-running cases involving active duty Marines are currently under investigation.

The Los Angeles Times reports that at least 50 Marines and sailors have been investigated in recent years for drug running. Some are accused of smuggling narcotics through Camp Pendleton to avoid the border patrol checkpoint.

There are random roadblocks with drug-sniffing dogs to intercept smugglers on the base, but some narcotics are bound to get through.

"We have a daytime population of about 100,000 Marines, civilians, sailors, and family members who live or work aboard Camp Pendleton. It would be prohibitive to think that we could stop and search every vehicle," says Maj. Lenny Ryan of Camp Pendleton's public affairs office.

The Los Angeles Times reports that some of the servicemen arrested are alleged to have worked for Mexican drug rings, most of which have ties to a feared drug cartel.

"I don't think we have a serious problem, but it doesn't matter. We're going to treat it as if we have a serious problem, because we can't, the Marine Corps can't, exist with drugs rampant in our Corps," Ryan continues.

Not only are Marines accused of smuggling drugs through the base at Camp Pendleton, but they allegedly have delivered drugs by boat to San Diego beaches.