Man arrested while selling pipes, bongs
A 44-year-old Michigan man was arrested at the State Fair Park Friday evening after undercover police found him selling alleged drug paraphernalia at a liquidation sale.
Police received a tip that Mir S. Ali was using a sales booth at the park’s Agriculture Hall to sell pipes and bongs for illicit drug use. Undercover officers approached the man’s table at about 6 p.m., posing as customers, Lincoln Police Capt. Mike Woolman said.
Woolman said Ali then explained to the officers that some of the pipes he was selling were for crack use, some for marijuana. He then allegedly simulated use of the products to the officers.
The officers arrested Ali on suspicion of selling drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, after they seized 129 bongs and 229 pipes, “numerous” scales and rolling papers, other paraphernalia, and $615 in cash.
Selling drug paraphernalia is a misdemeanor offense in Michigan and Nebraska. Ali was jailed because he has no ties to Lincoln, but he posted bond Friday shortly after his arrest.
Employees working at the sale said Saturday that they had since seen Ali at his booth, though all the bongs and pipes had been removed from tables.
“They had more in boxes underneath (yesterday),” said Brittany White, a cashier at a booth around the corner.
According to White and other workers, one table was filled with bongs and marijuana bowls. Saturday, those items had been replaced with hats and clothing accessories.
The man working at the booth in question wouldn’t comment because he said his boss asked him not to.
Tanisha Miller, who worked at the same booth as White, said she saw at least one sign near Ali’s table that read “for tobacco use only.” The sign was there Saturday.
Police Capt. Genelle Moore said Ali had the sign Friday night. Posting “for tobacco use only” signs is required in Nebraska when selling smoking materials.
Ali allegedly mentioned drug use in connection with the items.
“Basically, where he got snagged was the conversation he had with the narcotics officer,” Moore said.
Reach Zach Pluhacek at 473-7395 or zpluhacek@journalstar.com.
Police received a tip that Mir S. Ali was using a sales booth at the park’s Agriculture Hall to sell pipes and bongs for illicit drug use. Undercover officers approached the man’s table at about 6 p.m., posing as customers, Lincoln Police Capt. Mike Woolman said.
Woolman said Ali then explained to the officers that some of the pipes he was selling were for crack use, some for marijuana. He then allegedly simulated use of the products to the officers.
The officers arrested Ali on suspicion of selling drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, after they seized 129 bongs and 229 pipes, “numerous” scales and rolling papers, other paraphernalia, and $615 in cash.
Selling drug paraphernalia is a misdemeanor offense in Michigan and Nebraska. Ali was jailed because he has no ties to Lincoln, but he posted bond Friday shortly after his arrest.
Employees working at the sale said Saturday that they had since seen Ali at his booth, though all the bongs and pipes had been removed from tables.
“They had more in boxes underneath (yesterday),” said Brittany White, a cashier at a booth around the corner.
According to White and other workers, one table was filled with bongs and marijuana bowls. Saturday, those items had been replaced with hats and clothing accessories.
The man working at the booth in question wouldn’t comment because he said his boss asked him not to.
Tanisha Miller, who worked at the same booth as White, said she saw at least one sign near Ali’s table that read “for tobacco use only.” The sign was there Saturday.
Police Capt. Genelle Moore said Ali had the sign Friday night. Posting “for tobacco use only” signs is required in Nebraska when selling smoking materials.
Ali allegedly mentioned drug use in connection with the items.
“Basically, where he got snagged was the conversation he had with the narcotics officer,” Moore said.
Reach Zach Pluhacek at 473-7395 or zpluhacek@journalstar.com.
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