Coast Guard drug bust leads to more than a dozen charged or disciplined

12 face criminal proceedings for alleged illicit drug activity

Six additional were disciplined, face separation from service

Spokesman said at no time was CG’s mission compromised

 

A major drug investigation last fall involving the Coast Guard units in Kodiak has led to more than a dozen active duty members being charged or disciplined for alleged illicit drug activity.

 

According to a Coast Guard press release issued Tuesday, a dozen Kodiak Coast Guard members face criminal proceedings under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for alleged illicit drug activity, while an additional six members were disciplined at non-judicial punishment proceedings.  Those six are being processed for separation from the service.

In addition, other members may be charged or considered for non-judicial punishment before the investigation concludes.

The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into alleged drug activities which were referred to the Coast Guard Investigative Service. At least two commands in Kodiak ordered all-hands drug tests last year.

A Coast Guard spokesperson interviewed by KMXT last year said that at no time were any of the Coast Guard’s missions compromised. And that the blood tests were to ensure the safety of Coast Guard personnel and those they may be called on to help.

In the press release, Capt. Melissa Rivera, the chief of staff for the 17^th Coast Guard District said the service treats all allegations of illicit drug activity seriously. She said drug use is prohibited, a violation of both Coast Guard policy and federal law, and is in direct contradiction of the Coast Guard’s core values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty.

To help explain what those being charged or disciplined face, it’s important to understand how military justice works.

Proceedings under the Uniform Code of Military Justice are presented before a court martial and may result in a criminal conviction.  

Non-judicial punishment is disciplinary in nature and is not a criminal conviction.  The results of non-judicial punishment can include loss of pay, reduction in paygrade, as well as restriction for a period of time to a specified location, such as a barracks or base. 

The Coast Guard has a zero tolerance policy, and any Coast Guard member using illicit drugs will automatically be administratively processed for separation from the service.