N.C. LAW ENFORCEMENT SEIZE DRUG-RELATED ITEMS FROM STORES

The federal government is going on the offensive against drug paraphernalia,
seizing pipes, clips and other items from a half-dozen stores in eastern
North Carolina.

Federal prosecutors said Monday the searches and seizures are the first in a
new campaign designed to make it harder to find materials that could entice
teenagers to begin smoking marijuana.

"The distribution of drug paraphernalia is a federal felony," U.S. Attorney
Frank Whitney said at a news conference in Raleigh. "If we can cut down on
the demand for drugs, it will make our jobs easier."

Federal, state and local agents participate in last Thursday's searches of
four Wake County and two Wilmington businesses as part of "Operation
Pipecleaner." They recovered decorative and brightly colored bongs, as well
as "roach" clips and miniature spoons.

These kinds of items are defined in federal law as drug paraphernalia, and
someone selling or trying to sell them can receive up to three years in
prison, including fines and forfeiting the cited goods.

No charges have been filed against the owners or employees at the six
stores, but criminal counts are possible. The investigation and Operation
Pipecleaner are continuing, Whitney said.

Federal and local officials defended their campaign against retailers, who
often have been allowed to operate despite the paraphernalia.

After years of continuing efforts to convict drug suppliers, Whitney said
Washington asked that local U.S. attorney come up with ways to reduce the
demand for drugs. The middle and western districts of North Carolina are
focusing on methamphetamines, he said.

Marijuana is often labeled as a "gateway" drug because people who smoke pot
are many times more likely to use heavier drugs such as heroin and cocaine,
according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

In the past, much of the marijuana smoked in North Carolina was grown
in-state. Now, more of the drug is coming aboard tractor-trailers from
Mexico and Central America and contains higher amounts of marijuana's active
chemical, THC.

"The marijuana of 2004 is not your parents' marijuana, if they experimented
with it," Whitney said.