Iran Press/ America: Sixteen US Marines were arrested Thursday for involvement in various illegal activities ranging from human smuggling to drug-related offences, according to a statement from the Marine Corps.
The arrests took place on Thursday morning at Camp Pendleton, California, during a battalion formation, CNN reported.
"Information gained from a previous human smuggling investigation precipitated the arrests," the statement said. "None of the Marines arrested or detained for questioning served in support of the Southwest Border Support mission."
Eight other Marines were also questioned on their involvement in alleged drug offences unrelated to today's arrests, the Marine Corps said.
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 charged with transporting undocumented immigrants for financial gain.
Thursday's arrests come one day after the US military took the rare step of sending home an elite team of Navy SEALs from Iraq due to "a perceived deterioration of good order and discipline" that caused a military commander to lose "confidence in the team's ability to accomplish the mission."
A US Defence Department official familiar with the situation told CNN that the unusual step of sending the team home was due to allegations regarding the consumption of alcohol during their downtime, which is a violation of general orders issued to troops participating in overseas campaigns.
A fact-finding investigation has been initiated.
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