Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jan 2002
Source: Decatur Daily (AL)
Copyright: 2002 The Decatur Daily
Contact:  http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/index.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/696
Author: Ronnie Thomas
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

DRUG SEIZURE REQUIRES NEW BANK ACCOUNTS

TRINITY -- A big drug bust means extra paper work in more ways than one. 
The seizure of about $2.7 million worth of cocaine by Trinity police, with 
the help of policemen from Villa Rica, Ga., on Jan. 10 caused the Town 
Council on Tuesday night to establish two separate accounts for state and 
federal forfeiture funds.

The accounts are set up in the names of Police Chief Chris McLemore and 
Councilmen Tony Jones, Bruce Sparkman, Bruce Kimbrell, Richard Fortson and 
Mayor Vaughn Goodwin.

"Why hasn't the town had such accounts before?" a resident asked.

"Because we've never had such a big bust," another resident said.

McLemore said the largest bust by Trinity police was one-half pound of 
marijuana about five years ago.

During what began as a routine traffic stop on Alabama 24, police took 31 
kilos, or 68.2 pounds, of cocaine from Marcus Mondez "Bubba" Lampkin's 1998 
GMC Yukon. Decatur police struck later the same day. The cocaine they took 
from a jacket in Danny Lampkin's Ford Escape amounted to 90 grams.

Danny Lampkin is Marcus Lampkin's uncle. Both men live in Decatur. Their 
cases will be presented to a Birmingham grand jury.

Trinity police must use their share from the cocaine bust within two years.
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