Two Rock Island convenience store owners were arrested Wednesday for allegedly selling drug paraphernalia at their store at 2030 11th St. Rami Fahmi Qattoum, 27, of 3602 35th St., and Mahdi A. Qattoum, 34, of 4833 50th Ave., both of Moline, were charged in Rock Island County Circuit Court Wednesday. Rami Qattoum faces two counts of unlawful sale of drug paraphernalia and Mahdi Qattoum faces one count of the same charge. According to court records, the men are accused of selling rose tubes - -- small glass tubes containing a fabric rose -- and steel wool at the Quick Shop to undercover police officers. Rami Qattoum allegedly sold the items July 12 and 14 and Mahdi Qattoum allegedly sold them July 6, court records state. [continues 403 words]
Springfield -- Illinois addicts needing clean needles need go no farther than their corner pharmacy, thanks to a bill signed Friday by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Patients previously needed a prescription from a doctor to buy a hypodermic needle. Now pharmacists can sell needles to anyone older than 18 who wants them. Opponents fear the new law will increase the numbers of improperly discarded needles on the street. Supporters contend that it will make needle sharing less likely. Needle sharing contributes to the spread of AIDS and other blood-borne diseases. [continues 168 words]
Blooming in Moline is an Internet radio station devoted entirely to songs about marijuana. It's called 420station (www.420station.com), and maybe I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm betting they play a lot of cuts by Cypress Hill. The organizer of the station has put out a benefit CD to facilitate its growth, and - would you believe it? - the CD is filled with tunes about weed. Some of the titles include "Toke By Toke," "Blade of Grass," "Plant the Seed," and, my personal favorite, "Zuga the Ganja Farmer." I also hear that's a popular song choice for weddings this summer. Anyway, the disc is available at select local record stores and through the Internet by e-mailing 420@420station.com. [end]
Firearms drills are just part of the training for a team of police officers assigned to clean up and dismantle methamphetamine labs in the Quad-Cities area. Their weapons training shows that the danger of meth labs doesn't end with the chemicals, their byproducts, and flammable gases. It extends to the drug makers - called "tweakers" by drug officials. Tweakers, fueled by the drug, often stay awake for days at a time and become paranoid and schizophrenic. "You have the hazards of the lab and the hazards of the idiots who run it," said Agent Jim Urquiza, assistant director of the Quad-City Metropolitan Enforcement Group, who oversees the team. [continues 703 words]