News Release
October 7, 2005
ICE AGENTS SEIZE 8,000 ITEMS OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA VALUED AT APPROXIMATELY $250,000
9 search warrants executed in Jacksonville “head shops”
JACKSONVILLE–U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents served federal search and seizure warrants this week at nine area retail stores and seized 8,000 items of drug paraphernalia with an approximate retail value of $250,000.
The warrants were served here at Ellusions at 10916 Atlantic Boulevard Suite 10; Ellusions 2 at 614 Pecan Park Road; Ellusions 3 at Beach Boulevard Flea Market A51-A53; Glass Eye at 1233 S. Lane Avenue; Glow On at Beach Boulevard Flea Market N49-N51; Pipes 4 U at 13799 Beach Boulevard; Smoking Products at 614 Pecan Park Road Flea Market B and N; Smoking Teepee at 525 State Road 16; and The Wave at 334 East State Road.
Special agents seized bongs, “roach” clips, grinders, crack pipes and marijuana pipes. Many of the items seized were made to lure children. Some of the items depicted well-known cartoon characters such as the Tasmanian Devil, Tweety Bird and the California Raisin.
“This week’s seizure sends the clear message that ICE will use all of its investigative resources to identify stores that sell a terrible lie to children,” said Frank Figueroa, special agent-in-charge in Tampa. “There’s no doubt that these items were made to make drug use attractive to kids and we simply will not tolerate this type of activity in our community.”
The seizures are the result of Operation Bad Seed, an ICE initiative designed to identify and prosecute businesses that illegally import, manufacture, and distribute drug paraphernalia in Jacksonville.
No arrests were made in conjunction with the seizures; however, the ICE investigation into the case continues.
The sale of drug paraphernalia is a violation of U.S. federal laws under Title 21 U.S.C. Section 863, Title 19 U.S.C. Section 1595 and Title 18 U.S.C. Section 545.
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