Pubdate: Sun, 09 Mar 2003 Source: Columbia Missourian (MO) Copyright: 2003 Columbia Missourian Contact: http://www.digmo.org/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2282 Author: DAVID BRACKEN CRACKDOWN ON PARAPHERNALIA DRAWS NOTICE Sales Of Pipes And Bongs Are Targeted By The Government's New Initiative Just what exactly do you plan on smoking with that pipe? That question could take on a new meaning for retail stores selling tobacco accessories thanks to the Justice Department's new initiative cracking down on the sale and distribution of drug paraphernalia. Last week, Attorney General John Ashcroft announced that a nationwide investigation, designated Operation Pipe Dreams, had resulted in 27 indictments of people on charges of trafficking in illegal drug paraphernalia. Although the sting was primarily designed to curb the sale of drug paraphernalia over the Internet, it also included a number of retail stores and head shops that sell marijuana pipes and bongs. Federal authorities said that one of those indicted is Tommy Chong, the comedic actor best known for the reefer-soaked "Cheech and Chong" films. Operation Pipe Dreams has not affected the handful of Columbia stores that sell smoking accessories. Still, some Columbians are concerned about the Justice Department's latest actions. "These places have been open for years and suddenly they start raiding their businesses," said Shane Stander, general manager of Dream Catchers, a Columbia store that sells tobacco accessories such as water pipes and glass pipes. "They should at least give some warning and not use these militant tactics." Lt. Ed Moses of the Missouri State Highway Patrol disagrees. Moses, a former undercover drug agent, is coordinator for the DARE. drug prevention program and trains officers for the patrol's drug division. He said the attorney general is right on target in focusing on establishments such as head shops. "This is exciting news for parents and people who care about our children," he said. "This has been ignored and a low priority for too long." Under Missouri law, manufacturing or selling drug paraphernalia, including bongs, marijuana pipes and roach clips, is a Class D felony. Missouri, like most states, passed a version of the model drug-paraphernalia law drafted by the Justice Department in the 1970s in an effort to crack down on the growth of head shops. But defining drug paraphernalia is largely left up to local prosecutors. As of Thursday, Boone County Prosecutor Kevin Crane said he had not heard from federal authorities regarding Operation Pipe Dreams. Crane said that it isn't a philosophical issue for his office and that he would review any paraphernalia cases referred to him by law enforcement before deciding whether to proceed. Drew Wade, a spokesman for the Justice Department, said Operation Pipe Dreams is an ongoing investigative effort and that federal authorities will continue to look closely at any stores that sell or distribute drug paraphernalia. "I think there's a new focus and attention on this activity because it affects a wide breadth of the population," he said. "A lot of these companies are targeting children in their marketing and the way their products are designed." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens