Pubdate: Sat, 30 Apr 2005 Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) Copyright: 2005 Lexington Herald-Leader Contact: http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/240 Author: Brandon Ortiz Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) POLICE RAID STORES FOR CRACK KITS Shops Accused Of Selling Drug Paraphernalia In a citywide crackdown, police yesterday raided 24 convenience, grocery and liquor stores they say were selling illegal kits used for smoking crack cocaine. By late afternoon, 24 suspects had been arrested on Class A misdemeanor charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, Capt. John Jacobs said. Twelve others were issued citations for the same charges in a daylong raid that involved 50 officers at sites scattered throughout Lexington. More stores could be raided in the coming months as police try to wipe out what they describe as a widespread problem. "We're not saying that next week we won't do another 25," Jacobs said. "Hopefully the message will get out that this is not acceptable." Police say the stores were selling "crack kits" that consisted of a glass vial used for smoking cocaine, scouring pads to clean the vial and a butane lighter. Each item can be sold legally, but it's a crime to possess them collectively, Jacobs said. Police also cited some suspects on accusations of selling counterfeit clothing and purses. Cases of digital scales were also seized, but it was not clear from which sites. The stores were attracting an unsavory crowd to buy the kits, Jacobs said. "I don't know if you would want these crack addicts walking through your neighborhood to go to the store to buy their items," he said. "It's a quality of life issue." People who live near one site said the raids were long overdue. Donald Jones grew up in a north Lexington neighborhood where police arrested four suspects at Pak N Save, on East Third Street. He sat in a barber's chair looking at the empty parking lot. "If you are selling drug paraphernalia in the neighborhood, you need to be checked out," Jones said. Rodd Washington added, "They don't do nothing but bring the neighborhood down." Jones and Washington were not surprised by the charges facing the stores, several of which were located northeast of downtown. Washington said he's witnessed the kits being sold at a convenience store. The stores are magnets for drug users and shady characters, Jones said: "This is the first day they ain't been there." Pak N Save's owner could not be reached for comment. Earlier this week, undercover officers started buying the alleged paraphernalia from stores across the city. Jacobs said that they asked clerks for a "paper bag," an apparent code word. The items were kept hidden under counters and sold for $2 to $5, Jacobs said. "We have known it for a long time. We just didn't know how big the problem was until we started the investigation," he said. "We did this over just a few-hour period, and it amazed us how readily available this was, how easy it was to obtain." No drugs were confiscated, but Jacobs said clerks explained to the undercover officers where they could obtain drugs. All of the sites were independently owned, but several had well-known brand names such as BP and Chevron. Six Marathon locations were raided. A spokeswoman for Marathon Ashland LLC said last night the company will investigate the allegations and "respond appropriately." "We don't tolerate this kind of thing," Linda Casey said. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin