OCEAN CITY, Md.- Ocean City police say they have charged the owners of two boardwalk businesses after officers discovered devices used for smoking controlled dangerous substances, such as marijuana.
Police said that on Aug. 24, officers discovered devices used for smoking CDS in a box on the floor behind the counter of the Shore Side Shop at 106 South Atlantic Ave.
A few days later, on Aug. 30, police said suspected CDS smoking devices were observed in a large glass case in NY Piercing, located at 409 Atlantic Ave. Police said that at the time of this discovery, the suspected contraband was found in the proximity of various items that promoted the use of marijuana such as: ash trays, T-shirts and statues all displaying marijuana leaves.
The business owners were identified as Shore Side Shop owner Benjamin Darmony, 48, of Berlin, Md., and NY Piercing owner Claude Darmony, 23, of Ocean City.
Police said that during the investigation, officers consulted with the Worcester County State's Attorney and determined the items were in violation of the Maryland Criminal Law Article prohibiting the sale of such items of CDS Paraphernalia.
On Aug. 30 and 31, police said officers made application for charges for these two business owners with the Ocean City District Court commissioner and received charges for possession and distribution of CDS paraphernalia.
Police said officers had previously met with both men in June 2012, and furnished them with a 15-page packet containing the Maryland Criminal Law Article governing CDS paraphernalia, with explanations and examples of what constituted CDS paraphernalia.
The police department said it will continue its strict enforcement of all laws related to the illegal possession and distribution of controlled dangerous substance and associated paraphernalia. Persons and or businesses involved in the use, sale or possession of these illegal substances, will be charged with these violations and prosecuted, according to police.
Items allegedly discovered at 409 Atlantic Ave. (Photo: Ocean City Police Department)
