Crack Pipes Often Disguised As Novelty Items At Stores

DETROIT (WWJ) - Be careful of what's being sold under the counter.
Crack pipes are being sold at neighborhood stores from Detroit to the suburbs.

That's according to  former Detroit police officer David Mahalab, who says the pipes are disguised as novelties.

"To avoid police detection and to try to avoid the law, they put a pen insert - (in) a glass tube, and try to evade the law, which talks about paraphernalia and stuff that has a second use," says Mahalab.

Mahalab says they're also disguised as a ballpoint pen or small glass vases with a rose sticking out of them. 

Mahalab says people may be surprised where the pipes are being sold.

"Dollar stores, gas stations, liquor stores, virtually every store in the 6th Precinct that I did enforcement with, were given a ticket and found guilty. I've seen them in Allen Park, Dearborn Heights and Garden City," says Mahalab.

Mahalab says the pipe sales are lucrative, but bring crack addicts and crime to neighborhoods.