Academy midshipman held at border as smuggling suspect

By Susan Shroder, Union-Tribune Staff Writer
2:50 p.m. June 17, 2009

SAN DIEGO — A 24-year-old U.S. Naval Academy midshipman was detained on suspicion of bringing 150 pounds of marijuana into the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, a Navy official said Wednesday.

The midshipman second class, a junior at the academy, was in the San Diego area for annual summer training, said Brian O'Rourke, a Navy Region Southwest spokesman in San Diego.

He was driving a vehicle when he was pulled over by Customs officials on June 10 at the port, O'Rourke said.

The midshipman was being held in the Naval Consolidated Brig at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station pending an investigation by Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Charges had not yet been filed pending results on the investigation.

O'Rourke said he did not know if anyone else was in the vehicle.

Susan Shroder: (619) 293-1876;

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