A sailor faces multiple drug charges for allegedly importing ecstasy and LSD to distribute in California late last year, according to charge sheets provided to Navy Times.
Currently assigned to the Naval Base San Diego-based mine countermeasures ship Champion, Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Daniel van Dijk imported hundreds of grams of the mood-altering stimulant ecstasy “at or near Queens, New York,” through multiple transactions between Nov. 22 and Dec. 3, military prosecutors wrote.
On Nov. 26, 2018, he allegedly bought 174 grams of ecstasy online and had it shipped to his mailbox on Naval Base San Diego “with intent to distribute” the controlled substance, his charge sheets state.
On Nov. 30 in San Diego, he allegedly possessed another 152 grams of ecstasy and 93 “squares of LSD" to distribute.
On the same day, he allegedly put 15 grams of ecstasy into “capsule form” for the same scheme, according to the legal filings.
On Dec. 3, he allegedly brought another 58 grams of ecstasy to the base for distribution, prosecutors wrote.
Authorities so far have named only one suspected drug deal ― an Oct. 26 incident in which he allegedly sought to “wrongfully distribute some amount” of ecstasy at or near San Diego.
RELATED
Van Dijk’s court-martial trial is slated to kick off on Oct. 21, according to Navy Region Southwest spokesman Kevin Dixon.
If found guilty on a single charge of wrongful possession with the intent to distribute, he faces a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and up to 15 years behind bars.
Through a public affairs officer, van Dijk’s military attorneys declined comment “at this time.”
According to his military records, van Dijk enlisted on Dec. 15, 2016 and later trained at Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station in Pensacola, Florida.
Originally from New Jersey, he reported to the Champion in late 2017 and became a petty officer on June 16, 2018.
He’s authorized to wear two Navy “E” ribbons and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, according to his military records.
Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.
