Sixteen U.S. Marines were arrested on a litany of charges, ranging from human smuggling to drugs, according to officials.
“The 16 Marines were arrested for alleged involvement in various illegal activities ranging from human smuggling to drug-related offenses. Information gained from a previous human smuggling investigation precipitated the arrests,” the 1st Marine Division said. “An additional 8 Marines were taken aside to be questioned on their involvement in alleged drug offenses unrelated to today’s arrests.”
The report said that the Marines were all low-ranking enlisted males.
The “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 said. “Any Marines found to be in connection with these alleged activities will be questioned and handled accordingly with respect to due process.”
The Marines said that none of the soldiers who were arrested on Thursday were part of the Department of Defense’s troop deployment along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Marine Arrested in Nebraska
In an unrelated case, military authorities say a detained Marine was found with firearms, a silencer, body armor, and ammunition in his pickup truck when he tried to enter an Air Force base near Omaha.Omaha World-Herald reports that Pfc. Ali Al-Kazahg is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, communicating threats, and other crimes.
It’s unclear whether he has an attorney. A Marine Corps spokesman says 22-year-old Al-Kazahg is in custody in Hawaii, where he’s assigned to the 3rd Marine Logistics Group.
Authorities say Al-Kazahg was on leave when he was stopped at an Offutt Air Force Base gate of May 31. Guards had spotted his name on a law enforcement notice of people considered capable of doing harm. The notice says he told another Marine that he would “shoot up” his battalion if he were disciplined for misconduct.
