Captain A.M. Harris of the City County Drug Task Force explained while the items seized — pipes, bongs and tubes — can be legally sold as tobacco products, there was discussion with an undercover officer that specifically dealt with using the products to ingest illegal drugs.

Noriega

Marijuana was also found on premise at the store where Verlynn Olga Addie Nordea Noriega, 26, is the clerk, Harris said.

The search warrant was served around noon.

Harris said agents are still investigating to determine whether drugs were being sold or used at the business.

In a statement, Agent D.R. Radford said the raid at the West South Main Street store was carried out with assistance of Littleton police Chief Winnie Bowens.

It came after a week-long investigation based on citizen complaints and continued investigation by Radford.

Harris said the complaints centered on the pipes in the store and drug activity.

During the search of the business, a user amount of marijuana, three packs of cigar wraps, 33 glass tubes, 31 marijuana smoking pipes, nine marijuana grinders, three sets of digital scales, and three water bongs were seized.

Radford arrested and charged Noriega for sell or delivery of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana up to a half-ounce, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and sale of glass tubes by employee.

Noriega was served with an outstanding warrant for arrest for sell or delivery of drug paraphernalia. This warrant was the result of an undercover purchase made Thursday from Noriega.

She received a $1,000 bond and April 27 court date.