HANCOCK SHERIFF'S DEPT. ARRESTS 32 ON DRUG CHARGES

HANCOCK COUNTY -- The Hancock County Sheriff's Department made 32 arrests
Tuesday during a seven-hour roundup targeting suspected street-to mid-level
drug dealers.

The arrests, dubbed "Operation Bus-um" because of the department's recent
acquisition of a bus from the Hancock County School District, began at
about 4:30 a.m. and focused on Bay St. Louis, the Catahoula community and
several other areas throughout the county.

Two of those arrested by the special operations team were the 16-year-old
son and the wife of Charles Lapine, who remains in the Pearl River County
jail after a one-vehicle accident on Mississippi 43 South in February left
four people dead, including the Lapines' seven-month-old son. Six people
were injured in the crash.

Matt Karl, director of the sheriff department's narcotics division, said
Tuesday's arrests stemmed from an undercover investigation into the sale of
cocaine, marijuana and various pills, including some OxyContin.

Those arrested were charged with one or more counts of sale of a controlled
substance, Sheriff Steve Garber said. Bonds began at $10,000 on each count.

Prisoners were booked at the National Guard Armory in Bay St. Louis and
later transported to the Hancock County jail.

The roundup came three months after "Operation No Fooling" in which 58
arrests were made, Karl said. Forty-three warrants were served during
Tuesday's raids and more arrests are expected.

Garber said the roundup should be a wake-up call to those who want to sell
drugs in the county.

"I think we definitely sent a message in Hancock County that we don't mess
with drugs," he said.