Navy investigating sailors in Japan over alleged drug activity

The U.S. Navy is investigating a number of Japan-based sailors for allegedly using and distributing drugs.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Seventh Fleet confirmed Sunday that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service was conducting the probe into sailors based in Yokosuka, where the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier is stationed.

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“The Navy has zero tolerance for drug abuse and takes all allegations involving misconduct of our Sailors, Navy civilians and family members very seriously,” the spokesperson told The Hill in a statement. “These allegations are still under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

The Wall Street Journal on Friday reported that Navy personnel were being investigated in connection with the alleged use and distribution of LSD, ecstasy and other drugs.

Because the sailors were suspected of selling drugs to locals, Japanese authorities were also taking part in the investigation, according to the newspaper.

The spokesperson for the U.S. Seventh Fleet would not confirm the details contained in the Journal report.

The drug allegations are only the most recent controversy the Navy has been forced to deal with over the past year. The branch has also had to contend with multiple deadly collisions in the Pacific Ocean and a massive corruption scandal involving a Malaysian contractor known as “Fat Leonard.”