16 Marines arrested at Camp Pendleton on human smuggling and drug charges

On Thursday morning, 16 U.S. Marines were arrested at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, with their alleged crimes involving drugs and human smuggling.

An official told CNN several of the arrests were related to an incident that took place earlier this month, involving two lance corporals and three Mexican citizens. Border Patrol pulled their car over about 20 miles east of the Tecate port of entry, and officers learned from the Mexican citizens that they had agreed to pay thousands of dollars to gain entry to the U.S. The Marines, Byron Law II and David Salazar-Quintero, have been charged with transporting undocumented migrants for financial gain.

"Information gained from a previous human smuggling investigation precipitated the arrests," the Marine Corps said in a statement. "None of the Marines arrested or detained for questioning served in support of the Southwest Border Support mission."

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