Miami, FL: U.S. custom and immigrations authorities this week raided a Miami-Dade County warehouse and seized nearly $1 million glass pipes and other items commonly associated with marijuana smoking. The raid marks at least the fourth time since March 2003 that federal officials have targeted businesses for selling pipes and other paraphernalia “intended or designed to be used ingesting, inhaling or otherwise using controlled substances.”
Although no one was arrested in the raid, federal authorities stated that the investigation remains ongoing. Last September, a federal judge sentenced 65-year-old actor/comedian Tommy Chong to nine months in prison and fined him $20,000 for selling glass pipes on the Internet through his business, Nice Dreams Enterprises.
NORML Foundation Executive Director Allen St. Pierre condemned the raid, calling it evidence of the administration’s gravely misplaced priorities. “These businesses pay taxes and do not in any way contribute to the crime problem in America,” He said. “In addition, the day-to-day operations of these businesses are arguably a local or state matter, and should not be of concern to the federal government.”
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre of the NORML Foundation at (202) 483-5500. For more information on NORML’s “Free Tommy Chong” campaign, please visit:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5746