16 Marines Arrested on Human Smuggling, Drug Charges

Sixteen Marines were arrested early Thursday on charges including human smuggling and drug related offenses, Fox News is reporting.

The Marines were arrested during a Battalion formation at Camp Pendleton in California.

"Information gained from a previous human smuggling investigation precipitated the arrests," the U.S. Marine Corps said in a statement.

Another eight Marines were "taken aside" for questioning about their alleged involvement in drug offenses unrelated to the main arrests, USMC officials said.

The names of those arrested were not released and there were no details regarding their arrests.

"1st Marine Division is committed to justice and the rule of law, and we will continue to fully cooperate with Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) on this matter," officials said. "Any Marines found to be in connection with these alleged activities will be questioned and handled accordingly with respect to due process."

NBC 7 in San Diego reported earlier this month two Camp Pendleton Marines were arrested and accused of transporting undocumented immigrants along the U.S.-Mexico border.

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