NATION IN BRIEF : ARIZONA : Smuggler, Marine Gun Fight Reported

A Marine Corps reconnaissance team helping the U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona traded gunshots with marijuana smugglers on horseback, according to a newspaper report. The smugglers, who fired first, eluded the marines, who were on foot, leaving behind a horse and 535 pounds of marijuana, the New York Times said. The marines suffered no casualties, according to the report. Marine Corps officials referred questions to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which did not immediately respond. The incident, reported to have happened Wednesday, coincided with reports that the Pentagon has decided to reverse an earlier stand and willingly take an active part in drug interdiction.