Gomiuri Shimbun
The discovery Monday that crew members aboard the U.S. guided missile cruiser Chancellorsville used illegal drugs at Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa Prefecture has been linked to a similar discovery in November that resulted in crew members of a sister cruiser, the USS Vincennes, being punished for drug use, sources said.
According to sources, a 25-year-old petty officer, one of 14 Chancellorsville crew members discovered to have used illegal drugs, is suspected of having sold illegal drugs both on and off the base.
He allegedly knew a 23-year-old former crew member of the USS Vincenne who was discharged for allegedly smuggling illegal drugs into Japan through military mail services in August.
Japanese and U.S. investigators are set to examine the case, focusing on the relationships that may have facilitated the spread of illegal drug use among crew members of the two Ticonderoga Class naval vessels....the rest...