|
|
|
Authorities shut down what lawmen described as a local “head shop” Friday, arresting the owner on pending charges of possession of marijuana and distribution of drug paraphernalia.
Capt. Gregg Johnson, Carter County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division, said Michael Joseph Anthony Gurule, 29, was taken into custody without incident, moments before a search warrant was served at his South Washington Street shop, identified as Counter Culture Society. At the time of his arrest, Gurule was found to be in possession of marijuana.
Gurule became the target of an undercover investigation conducted by Johnson, Deputy Matt Dunn and Ardmore Police Department narcotics officers after the CCSD received information he was selling what Johnson called, “Items used to ingest marijuana.” The items included smoking kits, pipes and bongs.
“While it is legal to sell these kinds of items for use with tobacco, it is illegal to knowingly sell them for the purpose of ingesting marijuana,” Johnson said.
The undercover investigation included an undercover purchase.
“During the investigation it was established Gurule not only had knowledge but intent to sell these times for ingesting marijuana,” Johnson said. “Based on that information we were able to obtain a search warrant.”
During the search of the store lawmen seized a variety of drug paraphernalia, as well as additional marijuana.
Gurule was booked into the Carter County Detention Center on pending misdemeanor charges. He posted bond shortly after he was incarcerated and was released pending the filing of formal charges. And court records indicate the new charges could be bumped into felony status because he is currently serving two deferred sentences after being convicted of identical charges in Love County in July 2009.
“That decision (felony charges) will be up to the district attorney’s office,” Johnson said.
Formal charges are expected to be filed Monday in Carter County District Court.
Sheriff Ken Grace said while the case many seem minor, the alleged scope of the activity in the shop has far greater implications.
“This doesn’t just involve what might be considered consenting adults who willingly commit misdemeanors, it also involves potential drug paraphernalia sales to minors who may have been frequenting the shop,” Grace said. “This is a bigger deal than it looks at first glance.”
Authorities shut down what lawmen described as a local “head shop” Friday, arresting the owner on pending charges of possession of marijuana and distribution of drug paraphernalia.
Capt. Gregg Johnson, Carter County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division, said Michael Joseph Anthony Gurule, 29, was taken into custody without incident, moments before a search warrant was served at his South Washington Street shop, identified as Counter Culture Society. At the time of his arrest, Gurule was found to be in possession of marijuana.
Gurule became the target of an undercover investigation conducted by Johnson, Deputy Matt Dunn and Ardmore Police Department narcotics officers after the CCSD received information he was selling what Johnson called, “Items used to ingest marijuana.” The items included smoking kits, pipes and bongs.
“While it is legal to sell these kinds of items for use with tobacco, it is illegal to knowingly sell them for the purpose of ingesting marijuana,” Johnson said.
The undercover investigation included an undercover purchase.
“During the investigation it was established Gurule not only had knowledge but intent to sell these times for ingesting marijuana,” Johnson said. “Based on that information we were able to obtain a search warrant.”
During the search of the store lawmen seized a variety of drug paraphernalia, as well as additional marijuana.
Gurule was booked into the Carter County Detention Center on pending misdemeanor charges. He posted bond shortly after he was incarcerated and was released pending the filing of formal charges. And court records indicate the new charges could be bumped into felony status because he is currently serving two deferred sentences after being convicted of identical charges in Love County in July 2009.
“That decision (felony charges) will be up to the district attorney’s office,” Johnson said.
Formal charges are expected to be filed Monday in Carter County District Court.
Sheriff Ken Grace said while the case many seem minor, the alleged scope of the activity in the shop has far greater implications.
“This doesn’t just involve what might be considered consenting adults who willingly commit misdemeanors, it also involves potential drug paraphernalia sales to minors who may have been frequenting the shop,” Grace said. “This is a bigger deal than it looks at first glance.”
