Washington: On Thursday 16 US marines were arrested for involvement in various illegal activities ranging from human smuggling to drug-related offences, reported CNN.
The arrests were carried out by division officials and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service during a battalion formation at the Camp Pendleton in California on Thursday morning. It is a base camp which is located at about an hour’s drive from the Mexico-US border.
“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 Marine Corps statement said. “Any Marines found to be in connection with these alleged activities will be questioned and handled accordingly with respect to due process.”
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A US official told CNN that Thursday’s arrests are related to an incident that occurred earlier this month in which two marines from camp Pendleton were arrested for transporting undocumented immigrants for financial gains.
“Information gained from a previous human smuggling investigation precipitated the arrest,” read the statement by the US marine corps.
A fact-finding investigation has been initiated. More details are awaited.
Ms Kalinga