LEE GAS STATION ACCUSED OF SELLING DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

LEE -- The Selectmen will review the all-alcohol license of the Lee Sunoco
service station on West Park Street in the wake of allegations that the
facility also sold drug paraphernalia.

The hearing will be held Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Selectmen's meeting room
at Town Hall.

According to a letter to the board by Police Chief Ronald C. Glidden, an
investigation by Lee Police and the Berkshire County Drug Task Force
resulted in an authorized search of the gas station and convenience store.

Police Confiscate Items

Police confiscated numerous items, wrote Glidden, including glass tubes,
pipes, pipe screens, rolling papers, butane lighters and other
paraphernalia associated with drug use.

In addition, small scales that might be used for weighing drugs and 1
1/2-inch plastic bags, which could be used to package drugs, were also
confiscated.

In addition, Glidden wrote, officers confiscated three double-edged knives,
which are illegal to sell in Massachusetts.

As a result of the search, company President Amrik Singh, Vice President
Gurcharan Bangha and co-owners Paramjit Singh and Balbir Singh have all
been charged with possession of drug materials with intent to distribute,
as well as possession of a dangerous weapon. Neither the Singhs nor Bangha
could be reached for comment yesterday.

Glidden said the case is pending, and none of the men have been arraigned.
He was out of the office yesterday and unavailable for comment.

However, Glidden explained to the Selectmen that he believed it is
"inappropriate for a licensee to knowingly sell paraphernalia clearly
intended for use by illegal drug users and dealers."

Glidden recommended the board convene the hearing to review the alcohol
license.

Serious Charges

On Monday night, the Selectmen agreed that the charges leveled by the chief
were serious.

"We should hold this hearing as soon as we possibly can, to get to the
bottom of this," said Selectmen Chairman Gordon Bailey.

The investigation was part of a countywide investigation by local police
departments and the drug task force into businesses selling drug paraphernalia.