Dark Web Drug Sales Investigated At US Naval Academy: Reports

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A surprise drug test for all midshipmen this week is a sign that drugs are being sold via the "Dark Web" at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, reports say. At least one student was taken in for questioning, although no criminal charges have yet been filed. The digital space known as the "Dark Web" is used for nefarious activity on a decentralized, unregulated platform where drugs, stolen personal data and other illicit transactions take place.

An estimated ten midshipmen are alleged to be part of the drug ring, with three midshipmen accused of selling cocaine, LSD and ketamine (a sedative abused illegally as a hallucinogen) to classmates who buy the drugs using the digital currency Bitcoin, Fox News reports. Investigators were first alerted to the ring about three months ago when a student reported it to authorities.

School officials ordered a surprise drug test for all the 4,500 midshipmen at the academy early Wednesday morning. Normally, senior midshipmen leaders are told about drug tests the night before, but that was not the case this week. The Fox News report says the 23rd company is the focus of the investigation.

Drug Enforcement Agency agents used trained drug dogs last week to search the rooms of the suspected students and discovered cocaine. One midshipman reportedly tried to flee but was brought in for questioning, the network says.

“The Naval Academy and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service recently initiated a command-assisted investigation in Annapolis after receiving a midshipman report of alleged recreational drug use within the Brigade,” Cmdr. David Mckinney, a Naval Academy spokesman, told Fox News. “[T]he results of the investigation are still pending. We are continuing to work with NCIS on these reported allegations. The Navy has a zero tolerance for drug abuse and takes all allegations of misconduct very seriously.”

The Capital-Gazette reports that NCIS and school officials have been looking into the accusations for about two and a half months and hope to resolve it soon. Academy officials declined to answer the newspaper's questions about the scope of the drug ring, where sales occurred or how many midshipmen might be involved.

Illegal drug use or possession means mandatory separation from the Naval Academy.

In 2010 and 2011, NCIS investigate the use of synthetic marijuana by midshipmen, which led to the dismissal of at least 27 midshipmen, the newspaper reports.

PHOTO: In a May 29, 2012 file photo, a formation of U.S. Navy Blue Angel fighter jets perform a flyover above graduating Midshipmen during the United States Naval Academy graduation and commissioning ceremonies in Annapolis. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)