American Notes Narcotics

"This is Len Bias . . . There's no way he can die. Seriously, sir, please come quick." That was Brian Tribble's desperate plea to a 911 operator as his friend, University of Maryland Basketball Star Len Bias, lay dying of cocaine intoxication in his dormitory on June 19. Last week Tribble surrendered to authorities after a grand jury indicted him on narcotics charges that included possession of cocaine with intent to distribute the drug. Tribble, 24, a former Maryland junior-varsity basketball player, is suspected of providing Bias with the coke that killed him.

Also indicted were two teammates of Bias' who were with the athlete when he collapsed: Terry Long, 22, and David Gregg, 20. They are accused of cocaine possession and obstruction of justice, a charge stemming from authorities' contention that the players removed drug paraphernalia from the dorm before investigators arrived.