Tri-Net busts gas stations for paraphernalia sale

Undercover police said Thursday they arrested two men at a Carson City gas station after buying drug paraphernalia from the store's employees.

The station's owner, Mohammed Ahmad, and an employee, Darjinder Singh, were arrested on suspicion of selling drug paraphernalia.

Officers with the Tri-Net Narcotics Task Force said Ahmad consented to a search of Eagle Gas, 2152 N. Carson St., and Ahmad's other store, Gas and Co. The searches resulted in the seizure of marijuana pipes, methamphetamine pipes, key chain pipes and screens used in pipes.

"I don't think small business owners understand the implications of selling drug paraphernalia or what the penalties are," said Kimberly Evans with the Nevada Department of Public Safety.

The Tri-Net Narcotics Task Force is made up of the Department of Public Safety's Investigations Division and the sheriff's departments in Carson City and Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties.

In October, Balwinder "Bobbie" Singh, owner of the Frontier Motel and Mini Mart in Carson City was arrested on the same charge after allegedly selling what officers called a marijuana pipe to an undercover agent.

"It was just a novelty item," Singh said of the pipe.

His lawyer is waiting for another court date after an earlier appeal, he said.

Meanwhile, he has stopped selling screens and key chain pipes.

"We want to be clean business -- not that kind of business," he said.

The Tri-Net Narcotic Task Force made a point of reminding business owners it is illegal to sell drug paraphernalia including glass pipes, metal pipes, bongs, screens and "any other item used or intended for use in introducing a controlled substance into the human body."

Anyone with information about the sale or possession with intent to sell drug paraphernalia is asked to call the Tri-Net Narcotic Task Force at 687-1658.

YOU CAN HELP

To report the sale of drug paraphernalia, call the Tri-Net Narcotic Task Force at 687-1658.