Agents seize 5,380 bongs, pipes at border

By Tribune Staff • March 14, 2009

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents at Sweet Grass this week seized more than 5,300 marijuana pipes destined for California, Texas and Florida.

Agents stopped seven shipments of pipes coming from Canada in a small parcel freight truck, according to Sweet Grass Port of Entry authorities.

The shipments contained 5,380 assorted pipes and bongs valued at more than $284,000.

"I've never seen so many shipments at a time," said Sandy Owens, chief of the Sweet Grass Port of Entry for 16 years.

Authorities at the port said all imports of commercial goods are routinely scrutinized, and certain shipments are selected for intensive examination. Drug paraphernalia is prohibited from being imported into the U.S. Any product which is primarily intended for use in introducing a controlled substance into the body is considered drug paraphernalia.

The shipments had a laundry list of problems, including false invoicing, false marking, false names for the shipper and consignee and undervaluation, according to authorities.

"Proceeds from shipments like these are often used to benefit criminal activity and also to solicit new users," said Larry Overcast, port director. "The attention to detail demonstrated by (agents) targeting shipments led to this significant seizure."

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