Sixteen Marines arrested at Camp Pendleton in migrant smuggling investigation
Sixteen U.S. Marines were arrested Thursday morning for alleged involvement in activities ranging from human smuggling to drug-related offenses. CNN reports that the information comes from a statement released by the Marine Corps.
Authorities say the Marines helped smuggle migrants into the United States.
The arrests happened during a battalion formation at Camp Pendleton.
“Information gained from a previous human smuggling investigation precipitated the arrests. None of the Marines arrested or detained for questioning served in support of the Southwest Border Support mission,” the statement said.
Eight other Marines were questioned about their involvement in alleged drug offenses that are not related to Thursday’s arrests.
An official told CNN that the arrests are related to an incident that happened earlier this month. Two Marines from Camp Pendleton were charged with transporting undocumented immigrants for money.
Byron Law II and David Salazar-Quintero were arrested after Border Patrol pulled over their vehicle. Investigators said there were three passengers in the back of the car who told agents they were Mexican citizens without immigration papers.
The military said the investigation helped authorities identify the 16 Marines arrested.
“Obviously I think it looks bad whenever you have the military that is helping protect the border and then you’ve got military people smuggling,” said retired Marine Lt. Col. Gary Barthel.
All 16 of those arrested were junior enlisted Marines. Barthel said smugglers may have tarteted them because they are young and could be vulnerable to being enticed by fast money.
Border Patrol agents said that over the years, they have routinely caught migrants walking into Camp Pendleton or floating in skiffs off the coast nearby.
The Marine Corps has not released any details about how or why the investigation resulted in 16 more arrests. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service declined to comment.
