Drugs and Alcohol found at scene

6-23-06

Crackdown and Alcohol charges for Prom bus driver

A man hired to drive Mepham High School students to their prom was arrested after Consumer Affairs Investigators and police found open beer cans and liquor bottles aboard his chartered bus, authorities in Nassau County said Friday.

Police charged the driver with sale of alcoholic beverages to minors, a misdemeanor. He was released without bail.

Police and officials with the county's Taxi and Limousine Commission were out in force Thursday night looking for violations involving limos and other for-hire vehicles carrying students to proms, when the bus pulled up with 55 passengers at Sand Castle Caterers in Franklin Square, where Mepham High's prom was held.

Consumer Affairs Investigators boarded the bus after the passengers exited. While talking with the driver, the Investigatos detected an odor of alcohol in the bus and an inspection turned up beer cans and several bottles of alcohol.

Police said the passengers were all under 21.

The arrest was part of an effort by the commissioner Roger Bogsted and Consumer Affairs to crack down on limo and for-hire services that allow minors to ingest alcohol or partake in drugs during prom season. Investigators are also verifying whether the drivers have proper licensing.
Simultaneous operations took place at several catering facilities across Nassau County.

Select this LINK for addition photos of operations.