City Attorney Targets San Francisco Smoke Shops
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- San Francisco is accusing six smoke shops of selling illicit drug paraphernalia used for cocaine, crack and methamphetamine.
City Attorney Dennis Herrera filed civil suits on Thursday against the shops, which are in the Excelsior and Mission districts. Herrera says they have continued to sell glass pipes used to smoke crack and methamphetamine despite repeated warnings by police.
KCBS' Barbara Taylor Reports:
The suit accuses the shops of maintaining a public nuisance and committing unlawful business practices.
If found guilty, the shops could face $2,500 fines for each violation. Herrera, who is running for mayor, says authorities will investigate other smoke shops and could file additional lawsuits.
Owners of four of the shops tell the San Francisco Chronicle they sold the pipes in the past without knowing what they would be used for. They say they no longer sell them.
