FORMER PISTON CAUGHT IN DRUG HOUSE

DETROIT - Former Detroit Piston Earl Cureton was caught in a suspected
drug house yesterday and was charged with a misdemeanor of loitering
in a place of illegal occupation, police said.

Four others were also charged in the raid on a Detroit home, including
two with a felony of intent to deliver.

``His demeanor to me was that he's embarrassed to be caught up in
this,'' Sgt. Marlene Sanders of the police narcotics section said.
``He said it was just bad luck.''

During the Thursday night raid, police said they confiscated $98,800
worth of marijuana, $180,093 in narcotics proceeds, scales and two
vehicles, including Cureton's Lincoln Navigator.

``This is a major operation, obviously,'' Police Chief Benny Napoleon
said.

Cureton was free on bond and faces a May 6 court date.

Cureton was scheduled to coach the College All-Stars against the
Harlem Globetrotters Saturday night. However, Globetrotters spokesman
Brett Meister said he would not be coaching. Meister said he didn't
know who made that decision.

Cureton played for the Pistons from 1983 to 1986. He also played for
Philadelphia, Chicago, the Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte, New York,
Houston and Toronto. He retired in 1997.