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djb · 11-15-2001, 11:19 AM

Police: Caminiti found in hotel with cocaine

Associated Press

HOUSTON -- Former NL MVP Ken Caminiti remained jailed Thursday on drug possession charges after authorities said he was found in a Houston hotel room with crack cocaine.

Early Wednesday afternoon, officers from a drug task force stopped a 2001 Mercedes registered to Caminiti. The vehicle was being driven by another man.

Law officers -- part of a task force that included the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration -- said they stopped the Mercedes because the driver was "suspicious," according to the Houston Chronicle's Thursday's editions. The officers did not elaborate.

The driver of the Mercedes told authorities he had permission to drive the car and that Caminiti could be found at a hotel.

Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff's Department were sent to the hotel to check on Caminiti's welfare and make sure the car wasn't stolen.

They found Caminiti in the room and "when the door was opened, deputies could smell what they believed to be crack cocaine," said Harris County Sheriff's Department spokesman Lt. Robert Van Pelt.

Unspecified drugs and drug paraphernalia were found in the room, authorities said.

Caminiti, 38, who lives in Houston, was arrested along with two other people who were in the room.

He was charged with possession of less than 28 grams of a controlled substance and booked into the Harris County Jail. He and the other two, who were not identified, remained in the county jail early Thursday.

"I'll wait to comment until I know more of the facts," said Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell, one of Caminiti's closest friends.

In 1994, Caminiti went public with his battle with alcohol dependency, saying he had conquered it after volunteering for rehabilitation.

Caminiti split last season with Texas and Atlanta. He hit .232 with nine home runs and 25 RBI for the Rangers and, after being released in July, batted .222 with six homers and 16 RBI with Atlanta.

The Braves did not re-sign Caminiti and last week he filed for free agency.

Caminiti left the Houston Astros in September 2000 to undergo evaluation for chemical dependency. He had been sidelined since June 16 that year following surgery to repair a ruptured tendon sheath in his right wrist, and later admitted he had a relapse with alcohol abuse he faced in 1993.

Caminiti rose up through the Astros' minor league system and made his major league debut in 1987, becoming a fan favorite in Houston. He was part of a 12-player trade with San Diego in 1994 and was the NL MVP in 1996 with the Padres with 40 home runs and 130 RBI.

He returned to Houston in 1999, turning down a $21.5 million, three-year offer from Detroit to accept a two-year, $9.5 million deal with the Astros.

Source: Police: Caminiti found in hotel with cocaine

11-15-2001, 11:19 AM	#4
djb Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 5,279	Police: Caminiti found in hotel with cocaine Associated Press HOUSTON -- Former NL MVP Ken Caminiti remained jailed Thursday on drug possession charges after authorities said he was found in a Houston hotel room with crack cocaine. Early Wednesday afternoon, officers from a drug task force stopped a 2001 Mercedes registered to Caminiti. The vehicle was being driven by another man. Law officers -- part of a task force that included the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration -- said they stopped the Mercedes because the driver was "suspicious," according to the Houston Chronicle's Thursday's editions. The officers did not elaborate. The driver of the Mercedes told authorities he had permission to drive the car and that Caminiti could be found at a hotel. Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff's Department were sent to the hotel to check on Caminiti's welfare and make sure the car wasn't stolen. They found Caminiti in the room and "when the door was opened, deputies could smell what they believed to be crack cocaine," said Harris County Sheriff's Department spokesman Lt. Robert Van Pelt. Unspecified drugs and drug paraphernalia were found in the room, authorities said. Caminiti, 38, who lives in Houston, was arrested along with two other people who were in the room. He was charged with possession of less than 28 grams of a controlled substance and booked into the Harris County Jail. He and the other two, who were not identified, remained in the county jail early Thursday. "I'll wait to comment until I know more of the facts," said Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell, one of Caminiti's closest friends. In 1994, Caminiti went public with his battle with alcohol dependency, saying he had conquered it after volunteering for rehabilitation. Caminiti split last season with Texas and Atlanta. He hit .232 with nine home runs and 25 RBI for the Rangers and, after being released in July, batted .222 with six homers and 16 RBI with Atlanta. The Braves did not re-sign Caminiti and last week he filed for free agency. Caminiti left the Houston Astros in September 2000 to undergo evaluation for chemical dependency. He had been sidelined since June 16 that year following surgery to repair a ruptured tendon sheath in his right wrist, and later admitted he had a relapse with alcohol abuse he faced in 1993. Caminiti rose up through the Astros' minor league system and made his major league debut in 1987, becoming a fan favorite in Houston. He was part of a 12-player trade with San Diego in 1994 and was the NL MVP in 1996 with the Padres with 40 home runs and 130 RBI. He returned to Houston in 1999, turning down a $21.5 million, three-year offer from Detroit to accept a two-year, $9.5 million deal with the Astros. Source: Police: Caminiti found in hotel with cocaine