19 troops arrested in migrant smuggling case

Officials say a total of 19 service members have been arrested at a California Marine Corps base in connection with a migrant smuggling scandal.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service said Friday that those arrested at Camp Pendleton include 18 Marines and one sailor, a Navy corpsman, who all serve in the same unit.

They are accused of various crimes ranging from migrant smuggling to drug-related offenses.

The case of two Marines arrested earlier this month and charged with migrant smuggling led to additional arrests.

Both are riflemen in the same unit. They have pleaded not guilty.

U.S. Border Patrol agents say smugglers lure people with offers of quick cash if they drive migrants through a heavily secured US border zone near San Diego.

This Nov. 13, 2013 file photo shows the main gate of Camp Pendleton Marine Base at Camp Pendleton, Calif. [File Photo: AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi]