HUGE COCAINE HAUL WORTH $2.7M

Two Decatur Men In Jail After Police Recover 70 Pounds Of The Drug

Two Decatur men accused of possessing 70 pounds of cocaine will spend the
weekend in jail without bond, a federal magistrate said Friday. Authorities
estimate the street value of the uncut cocaine at $2.7 million.

Marcus "Bubba" Lampkin, 29, and his uncle, Danny Terrell Lampkin, 30, both
of Decatur, were arrested Thursday on charges of possession of drugs with
intent to distribute. Danny Lampkin was also charged with possessing a
firearm while violating felony drug laws.

Investigators believe that the Lampkins were supplying Morgan and Madison
counties with an estimated 30 to 50 percent of the cocaine sold in the area.

Authorities say the bust is the largest ever for cocaine in North Alabama.

During an initial appearance in federal court Friday, U.S. Magistrate Judge
Harwell G. Davis III scheduled preliminary and bond hearings for the men
Monday at 11 a.m. in Huntsville.

The Lampkins applied for court-appointed lawyers because of indigence. The
government has already told the court it will seize any assets owned by the
Lampkins. Davis granted the Lampkins' request and appointed Huntsville
attorneys Jerry S. Barclay, to represent Danny Lampkin, and Brice Callaway,
to represent Marcus Lampkin.

According to court papers filed in federal court by federal attorneys and
agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration:

For the past three years, the FBI, DEA and organized crime units of the
Decatur and Huntsville police departments have been involved in a joint
investigation of the Lampkins.

The investigation was part of a larger operation that targets high-level
cocaine distributors in North Alabama.

Marcus Lampkin was driving a 1998 GMC Yukon on Thursday in Trinity when he
was stopped by police for a traffic violation. According to Trinity Police
Chief Chris McLemore, two drug agents from Villa Rica, Ga., were riding
with the Trinity officers.

The officers searched Marcus Lampkin's vehicle and found 31 kilograms
(about 68 pounds) of cocaine in a green duffle bag. There was also $9,000
in cash inside the vehicle.

Marcus Lampkin waived his rights to remain silent and to have a lawyer
present during questioning by authorities.

During the interrogation, Marcus Lampkin, of 1612 Fourth St., Decatur, told
officers they would find another kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cocaine in the
living room of his home.

After Marcus Lampkin was arrested, Decatur police investigator Proncey
Robertson set up surveillance at the house while officers obtained a search
warrant for the cocaine.

Robertson saw a man run from the porch and get into a blue Ford in the
driveway. When the vehicle left the driveway recklessly, Robertson pursued
and stopped the driver.

Danny Lampkin was the the driver and, while searching the vehicle, the
officer found a 9 mm pistol and 90 grams of cocaine in a compartment under
the passenger seat.

During a search of the house, officers found the kilogram of cocaine.

According to state court records, Marcus Lampkin has faced drug charges
before. He pleaded guilty in Morgan County Circuit Court on Jan. 31, 1996,
to a charge of selling marijuana. He was sentenced to five years in prison.