Internet “pipe shops” deservedly got smoked by the feds last week.
Attorney General John Ashcroft and the Drug Enforcement Administration indicted and arrested more than 50 persons for allegedly trafficking in illegal drug paraphernalia from website offices in America.
”Operation Pipe Dreams” and “Operation Headhunter” also confiscated bongs, roach clips, small pipes and other accessories specifically designed for smoking marijuana, crack cocaine and other illegal narcotics.
Each federal charge carries a possible fine of $250,000 and three years in prison.
Yeah, but what about all those neighborhood “tobacco shops” that display a few cheap cigars, tobacco pipes and tobacco products, but have huge inventories of displayed drug paraphernalia?
Many legitimate tobacco shops also sell water pipes and other accessories easily adaptable to drug use.
Smoke ‘em all. (2 MARCH 2003)
