Pubdate: Sat, 27 Oct 2001
Source: Foster's Daily Democrat (NH)
Copyright: 2001 Geo. J. Foster Co.
Contact:  http://www.fosters.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/160
Author: Brad Morin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

SMOKE SIGNALS CITED IN DRUG CASE

DOVER - Smoke Signals Pipe and Tobacco shop was summonsed Friday on a 
misdemeanor charge of selling drug paraphernalia.

Dover police executed a search warrant Oct. 19 and seized the store's 
inventory of glass water pipes and other items that are allegedly used to 
smoke marijuana or other illegal drugs. The store manager, Susan R. 
Hargrove, was summonsed on a charge of selling drug paraphernalia.

But Friday's citation was directed at the business itself, which is owned 
by Hargrove's mother, Kelly Hargrove of Exeter. Police Chief William 
Fenniman said if there is a conviction, any penalties would fall on her. 
The summons was served on attorney James Schulte, who was listed as an 
agent for the business.

Both the business and Susan Hargrove are scheduled to be arraigned in Dover 
District Court on Nov. 9.

The Hargroves have said they will fight the charges and are in the process 
of hiring a defense attorney.

The police affidavit to obtain the search warrant states that undercover 
agents from the New Hampshire Attorney General's Drug Task Force purchased 
several smoking items from the store soon after it opened in September. The 
clerks said that they were to be used for tobacco, the affidavit stated. 
The store was marked with signs that told customers they had to be 18 or 
older to enter and they would have to leave if they made any reference to 
illegal substances.

But in their affidavit, police cited experts who said the pipes were not 
used for anything other than smoking illegal drugs. Fenniman said this was 
the first search warrant of its kind in the state and it could set a 
precedent for shutting down similar shops.

Smoke Signals, which is located at 1 Main St., reopened on the Monday after 
the police seizure and continues to sell cigars, rolling papers and herbal 
smoking blends. Susan Hargrove said that the items police seized were worth 
$3,000 to $5,000.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager