CRACK PIPE CRACKDOWN

Coatesville Cops Target Pipes, Bags And Bongs

COATESVILLE - Authorities temporarily shut down three city businesses
Friday morning while they arrested employees and seized a large
amount of merchandise drug dealers and users are known to buy.

Police made arrests and seized drug paraphernalia from Dave's Deli
and the Gas Stop, both in the 600 block of East Lincoln Highway, and
the Gulf gas station at the corner of Strode Avenue and Valley Road.

Six people were arrested and a slew of crack pipes, "grinders," razor
blades and small plastic baggies were seized Friday as part of a
joint operation between the Coatesville Police Department and state
Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotics Investigations.

First, authorities went to Dave's Deli where they arrested clerks
Cynthia Rogers, 56, and Stacy Pearson, 28, both of Coatesville for
allegedly selling drug paraphernalia to an undercover officer minutes
before.

The women were taken into custody as authorities closed the store and
searched for merchandise they considered to be drug paraphernalia.
Investigators seized numerous boxes of mini plastic bags, glass and
metal pipes, scales, cigarette rolling papers, razor blades and a
computer.

Next, authorities went to the Gas Stop, where they arrested attendant
Sohail A. Shaikh, 47, of West Chester, for reportedly selling drug
paraphernalia to an undercover officer.

Various products are sold out of the gas attendant's booth. Police
found small baggies and steel wool often used as crack pipe filters.

Then investigators went to the Gulf gas station, where they arrested
Melroy Dsouzee, 24, of Coatesville, and Kulraj Singh, 36, of
Downingtown, for allegedly selling drug paraphernalia to an
undercover officer. The store had $20 and $10 pipes for sale near the
register.

Singh is the owner of Dave's Deli and the Gulf gas station,
investigators said.

All six people arrested will be charged with either distribution of
drug paraphernalia or conspiracy to distribute drug paraphernalia aE"
misdemeanor charges. Additional charges will likely be filed in the
near future, according to Coatesville Detective Sgt. Chris McEvoy.

The arrests and searches came after a two-month investigation, McEvoy
said.

Over the past two years, some residents have complained about local
retail stores selling items that appear to have use for drug users
and dealers, like small plastic bags.

"This has been a problem in the city for a very long time," McEvoy
said. "The people who are selling these items are enablers of the
drug dealers because they are making the products so easily
acceptable to the dealers. We personally believe that the two go hand
in hand."

Authorities are going to continue to look at city retail businesses
for similar merchandise. McEvoy said he wants City Council to adopt
an ordinance that would impose harsher penalties for businesses that
sell these products.

As acting police chief last year, Lt. Julius Canale heard residents'
complaints about local stores selling items related to illegal drug
use. On Friday, Canale said he hopes the recent arrests send local
businesses a message.

"It shows the community and business owners we're not going to
tolerate these kinds of actions," Canale said. "We're not going to
tolerate people who supply drug dealers."