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Sheriff: Pasco gas station fined $56,018 for selling drug paraphernalia without a sign

 
Published Sept. 26, 2017

TRILBY — A Citgo gas station is facing $56,018 in fines after the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said the clerks sold drug paraphernalia without the proper signage.

Deputies said the gas station at 20949 U.S. 98 was cited for 112 separate counts of violating an ordinance that requires a sign barring juveniles from entering the store if drug paraphernalia is being sold, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Investigators confiscated 112 items from the store, including pipes that are used to smoke crack cocaine and methamphetamine, Marinec said. Each pipe earned the station a $500 fine.

A tip Monday afternoon led deputies to visit the gas station that night. This was the first time deputies had visited the gas station for the signage issue. "They were well aware," said sheriff's spokeswoman Melanie Snow. "They should have had it up."

This incident was handled with civil citations. The Sheriff's Office said that possession of drug paraphernalia is a crime if found along with drugs, or if the paraphernalia tests positive for drugs.

The gas station owner could not be reached for comment.