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)."