Active duty military personnel make shitty mules

I wonder how they got caught. I have a suggestion for the judge; send these wannabe donnie brascos to Iraq!

Intel officers charged with drug smuggling

EL PASO — Four U.S. Army military intelligence soldiers who were assigned to assist the Colombian government in drug surveillance are facing court martial for distributing 200 pounds of cocaine in Texas and Louisiana. The soldiers were on regular rotations in and out of the country when they allegedly smuggled the drugs into the United States and carried money back to Colombia, apparently to pay for the drugs, Fort Bliss spokeswoman Jean Offutt told the El Paso Times

According to military court documents, Staff Sargents Daniel Rosas, Victor J. Portales, and Kelvin G. Irizarry-Melendez, along with Specialist Francisco Rosa, bought the cocaine in Colombia, transported it on military aircraft from the Apiay air base to Biggs Army Airfield in El Paso, and then distributed it in several Texas cities and Lake Charles, LA. The alleged smuggling occurred between April 2003 and March 2005.

Rosas faces multiple counts for buying nearly 180 pounds of cocaine, making six trips, and, with Irizarry-Melendez, distributing more than 105 pounds. Portales is charged with carrying $48,000 during a trip in late 2004. All three allegedly put up their own money to buy the drugs. Six civilians also are mentioned in the charges.

The soldiers have been charged with conspiracy, making false official statements, wrongful use, possession, distribution or importation of cocaine, and damaging the good order and discipline of the armed forces.

General courts-martial allow severe punishments. In these cases, this could include prison time, dishonorable discharge, reduction to the lowest enlisted grade, forfeit of all pay and allowances, and fines. The soldiers can choose between the military equivalent of a jury trial or a trial by military judge. The Fort Bliss commanding general can approve or disapprove the verdicts or the sentences.