Defense Factory Workers Allegedly Caught Drinking, Smoking Pot on Lunch Break

Workers at a Detroit defense factory have been caught on video allegedly drinking and smoking marijuana during their lunch breaks -- then presumably returning to their jobs where they make parts for armored military vehicles.

Tower Defense and Aerospace produces parts for military vehicles used by American troops in combat, including Humvees and Strykers. It's a Department of Defense subcontractor, ultimately paid for on the taxpayer's dime.

But a series of shocking footage from Detroit Fox affiliate WJBK shows workers appearing to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana during their breaks, all within sight of the factory.

In the footage, workers are shown sipping liquids out of paper bags and smoking joints. Some do so sitting in their cars while others remain outside, out in the open, making no attempt to hide their actions.

WJBK confronted several of the workers caught on camera, all of whom denied any wrongdoing.

The factory, which also produces parts for commercial airplanes in addition to military vehicles, won its first defense contract 10 years ago and made $90 million in revenue last year, according to WJBK.

Tower Defense declined WJBK's offer to view the footage in advance of the report's airing, but told the station it is "aware of the issue" and is conducting an ongoing investigation of its own.

Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is aware of the report, though neither Levin nor the Pentagon have officially commented on the matter.

WJBK has a history of nabbing boozing plant workers. Last year, Chrysler fired 13 workers after the station caught them drinking and smoking pot during their lunch hour. In July, the station caught workers from the same plant doing the same thing, this time steps away from a union hall.