Long Island police are investigating after a trio of crack pipe vending machines — yes, crack pipe vending machines — disguised as pen dispensers appeared in front of shopping centers in the town of Brookhaven.
via NYDN:
Two of the three machines – which are blue and feature the word ‘PENS’ written across the front – have been seized and turned over to Suffolk County Police for investigation.
The third is currently sitting on private property and therefore cannot be removed without the owner’s permission, though officials said they have reached out and hope to turn the machine over to law enforcement soon.
“You think you’ve heard of everything. I continue to be surprised by some of the audacity of those that would break the law in promoting drugs and drug paraphernalia,” Supervisor Ed Romaine said at a press conference.
The machines, which are cemented into the grass, offer up glass tubes with a filter that can be used to smoke crack for anyone who inserts $2 in quarters. The cash also gives customers a pen top and a tube of ink.
Romaine said Brookhaven officials have turned the issue over to Suffolk County Police, who will work with the district attorney’s office to track down the culprit.
Councilman Michael Loguercio said police were alerted to the machines last week, and had two removed by Sunday, though it remains unclear just how long they were in existence before police got the heads up.
“The reason why we were concerned about this immediately is they were placed in the right of way along the state roads and, of course, they were not installed with any type of permits,” he said.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all…
