BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) -- A stash of cocaine and heroin was found aboard the Colombian Navy's main training ship shortly before it was to sail for the United States, the Navy said on Friday, in a fresh embarrassment for the nation's scandal-plagued security forces.

The government said it had suspended the boat's 75 crew members after officials found 16.5 kilograms (36 pounds) of heroin and 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of cocaine hidden in the engine room of the historic sailing ship the Gloria.

"The government would rather see the ship rot than let this type of crime continue rotting our national dignity," the government said in a news release, adding that the crew would remain suspended until those responsible were found.

The Gloria, which takes trainees on round-the-world trips designed to improve Colombia's image, was due to sail for the United States and Europe next month.

The drugs found would have been worth several million dollars on U.S. or European streets.

Navy commander Admiral Mauricio Soto said three crew members were under investigation over the find, which is an embarrassment for a country which receives hundreds of millions of dollars of U.S. aid a year to fight illegal drugs and a rebel insurgency.

The discovery follows a string of scandals for the security forces. Over the past month or so, army patrols have killed at least six fellow soldiers, seven policemen and nine civilians by mistake, prompting a public apology from President Alvaro Uribe.

Last year, the head of the national police force resigned after accusations that officers had taken more than $1 million in bribes to allow a cocaine shipment.

The Colombian Navy has, however, scored major victories against drug traffickers, confiscating 70 tonnes of cocaine in 2003.

Drugs were also found hidden on the Gloria in 1975.

Legalization of drugs would eliminate the problem...

legalization of cocaine and heroin isn't the answer man. That stuff is bad stuff. Now weed... that is a totally different story.

Amen, Z-man. I am totally subjective when it comes to las drugas. [img]graemlins/bonghit.gif[/img]

But consider who's body it is when one uses it. If I snort 21 grams of coke, and shoot up 3 syringe loads of H, then smoke a knox-size stogie of marijuana, am I hurting YOU or spending YOUR money? No, and what right does our government have to tell ME what I can and cannot do with my own body? I don't use those kinds of drugs, nor would I if they were legal, but I feel that an individual right over one's own body is in question here.

Yeah but we'd have to tax it also to really make it work. ;)

The problem with this line of thinking is that legal responsibility for actions you take while on the drugs can only reach a "reckless" standard, because you were "reckless" in taking the drug. Specifically, if you "drink for courage" or "smoke heroin for courage" prior to killing someone, it cannot be considered "premeditated" even though it was. If you can change the law to hold people responsible for their actions regardless of their state of "inebriation," then... and only then.... will we be able to allow the full legalization of drugs. ;)