http://www.slidellsentry.com/articles/2006/03/22/news/news08.txt
Slidell, LA
Man jailed for
possession of Xanax
By Leslie Ackel
St. Tammany News
The drug Xanax,
used to fight anxiety, has become the drug of choice for
teenagers to abuse, according to Lt. Jack
West of the Covington Police
Department.
On March 11, Covington Police arrested
Robert Lumpkin III, 18, of 15396
Elaine Lane in Covington, for possession
of approximately 100 Xanax pills
after he was stopped for
playing excessively loud music while driving
on
North Columbia Street.
After Lumpkin agreed officers Gary
Blocker and Eric Driscoll could inspect
his 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, they
discovered a hollowed out area of the
console, which held the hidden containers
of narcotics. Lumpkin was found to
be in possession of two separate
strengths of the drug.
Upon further investigation,
officers discerned that Lumpkin's car was fitted
with more than $10,000 worth of
stereo equipment.
After placing Lumpkin under arrest for
violation of Covington's noise
ordinance and possession with intent to
distribute schedule IV narcotics,
more than $700 in cash was found in
Lumpkin's wallet.
West said teenagers are using Xanax to come down from weekend binges of
methamphetamine and Ecstacy
to get rest before returning to Monday morning
classes. Mixed with alcohol, the drug can
cause a temporary loss of
consciousness.
West said Xanax
legally costs 20 cents each, however, on the illegal market,
a dose sells from $5 to $10 each.
Lumpkin was booked and placed in St.
Tammany Parish Jail and released the
same day on a $5,000 bond.