American Scene

ARIZONA

Mother helps bust Ecstasy dealers

PHOENIX — Police are crediting a Phoenix-area mother’s tip for the dismantling of an drug ring that even had a price list posted on MySpace.

The woman’s call to the Maricopa County Methamphetamine Task Force last week helped authorities find the dealers’ MySpace page. By Tuesday, police said 10 Ecstasy dealers in Phoenix and nearby cities were under arrest. Authorities said they had a combined clientele of nearly 500 high school and college students.

Undercover detectives were able to buy the drug from dealers in parks, restaurants and other public places. Police said that if a dealer ran out, he simply referred the agents to other suppliers.

CALIFORNIA

2 Marine pilots killed in crash

ALPINE — A Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter crashed in a remote section of a Southern California forest, killing two experienced pilots, authorities said Wednesday.

The pilots from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed shortly before midnight Tuesday in the Cleveland National Forest in eastern San Diego County. They were the only two people on board, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar said in a statement.

The two were part of an air-combat unit that was preparing to go overseas, said Maj. Jay Delarosa, a Marine Corps spokesman.

“To get to this level, these Marines have been through extensive, in-depth, very serious training,” Maj. Delarosa said. “They were at the top of their game.”

The AH-1W is a two-seat, twin-engine attack helicopter that can be armed with cannon, rockets and guided missiles.

MICHIGAN

Cable problem causes GM recall

DETROIT — General Motors Corp. said Wednesday it is recalling about 300 new Chevrolet Camaro sports cars because a battery cable could rub against the starter motor, wearing the insulation and potentially causing the car to stop running or fail to start.

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