Pubdate: Wed, 06 Dec 2006
Source: Chatham This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Chatham This Week
Contact: http://www.chathamthisweek.com/contact.php
Website: http://www.chathamthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/719
Author: Emily Paige

COPS SEIZE DRUG ITEMS

The largest seizure of drug paraphernalia in Chatham-Kent Police 
Service's history occurred when police executed a search warrant last 
Thursday at a business in the 400 block of St. Clair St., police said Monday.

A 49-year-old businessman was arrested and charged with selling and 
promoting instruments for drug use. He was released that same day and 
is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 24.

The items included bongs, pipes, grinders and scales, police told a 
news conference.

Police get tip from East Side Pride

Const. Gary Oriet initiated a search warrant after investigating 
information brought forward by East Side Pride about one month ago.

Oriet said the 2,000 items seized -- which amount to an estimated 
value of $23,000 -- are often found on suspects arrested for 
possession of a controlled substance.

The charge -- selling and promoting instruments for drug use -- is 
relatively new under the criminal code that was passed only four to 
five years ago, said Const. Doug Gutteridge. While it is not illegal 
to posses the items, along with literature for illicit drug use, it 
is illegal to sell them, Gutteridge said.

"I don't think they're (businesses) unaware," of the reason for sale, 
Oriet said. "It's a lucrative business."

"There are engravings (of marijuana leaves) and there is no other use 
for these," he said.

Oriet said the items were located side by side in the store, rather 
than dispersed throughout the store.

The penalty ranges from no more than six months imprisonment, a fine 
of no more than $100,000, or a combination of both.

Wants spotlight on issue

"Our hopes are that the attention given to this is that other 
businesses will stop selling," said Oriet.

He said removing the paraphernalia from the streets is important, as 
it "does contribute to the addiction (of drugs)."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine