A few odd vending machines that appeared on Long Island and purported to sell pens were actually dispensing crack pipes.
Officials on Long Island are investigating after a trio of crack pipe vending machines disguised as pen dispensers popped up in front of shopping centers in the town of Brookhaven.
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.
Thankfully, police have removed three crack pipe vending machines from Long Island and saved the people from easy access to the dangerous drug paraphernalia.
“To sell a pipe is not illegal, but this is considered drug paraphernalia,” town councilman Michael Loguercio told WABC-TV. “And it also is being dispensed from a machine that was installed illegally per town code.”
Once eight quarters were inserted, the machine produced “pens” consisting of ink, a glass tube, and a filter, WABC-TV reported.
“Is it drug paraphernalia?” Dean Murray, a New York assemblyman, said at a Monday press conference, according to McClatchy. “I don’t remember ever buying a pen that came with a pack of filters, so I think it’s pretty obvious.”
Loguercio, the councilman, told the news agency the products are considered drug paraphernalia and were sold in an illegally installed machine, according to town code.
Residents could not believe that criminals are getting so innovative they installed drug paraphernalia vending machines in their public restrooms.
Anthony Minichini, a Suffolk County resident, just wants the criminal activity to end. He first found the crack vending machine near a bus stop.
“Wow! You learn something new every day. Suffolk County on the side of the road next to bus stops a crack pipe vending machine. Really?”
Supervisor Ed Romaine said in a statement that Brookhaven would work with Suffolk County police “to identify more locations and will cooperate fully to find those responsible.”
Watch the video below for more details: