LEADING THE WRONG KIND OF PARTY, EH?

The Fort Myers News-Press reported Sunday that Vernon E. Peeples, Jr., newly elected Chairman of the Charlotte County Democratic Executive Committee, was busted Friday by a SWAT team which raided his house. Acting on a search warrant after investigating Peeple's Punta Gorda home for several weeks, officers found an unknown amount of cocaine along with 10.9 pounds of marijuana.

Peeples, son of former State Senator Vernon Peeples, Sr., was arrested with Elizabeth E. Picerno. They were charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana, possession of drug paraphenalia, and possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver. Peeples was released on $8,500 bond.

The street value of the "wicked weed" was approximately $44,000.