ITEMS 'DESIGNED TO BE USED PRIMARILY FOR SMOKING DRUGS' SEIZED

FAIRMONT -- Undercover officers with the Three Rivers Drug Task Force
seized pipes, bowls, water bongs and other items "designed to be used
primarily for smoking drugs" from a Fairmont tobacco store on
Tuesday, city police said.

In executing a search warrant at the Smoker Friendly Store at 915
Country Club Road, the officers seized "over 75 marijuana bowls or
pipes, approximately 18 water bongs, sets of digital scales, screens,
rolling papers and other items," Fairmont Police Chief Mark Hayes said.

"No one has been charged at this time, but arrest warrants will be
obtained as the investigation continues," the chief said in a
statement issued Wednesday.

The local task force, made up of officers from the city police
department and the Marion County Sheriff's Department, was responding
to "multiple complaints from citizens" about the store selling the
items, Hayes said.

There were signs near the items that read "For Tobacco Use Only," the
chief said.

But he cited State Code 60A-4-403a, which makes it illegal to sell
the devices if a business "knows or has reason to know that the
devices are primarily useful as drug devices."

Regan Bartley, the marketing director and a co-owner of the tobacco
store chain, said Wednesday "it's too early to say anything yet."

Founded 10 1/2 years ago, the Parkersburg-based Smoker Friendly chain
has grown to 37 locations in the state, Ohio and one store each in
Maryland and Virginia, Bartley said.

The chain bought the Country Club store three years ago, she said.

Last Saturday night, the chain's store at the Fairhills Plaza in
Bellview was heavily damaged by a fire. City fire officials said it's
possible the fire was caused by a still-burning cigarette dumped into
a trash can when an ashtray was emptied.