Federal agents confiscated 42,000 bongs, pipes and other drug paraphernalia, worth $1 million, from a Miami warehouse that officials said Monday is run by one of the largest distributors of such items in the United States.

No one was arrested.

The items were seized Thursday at the Da-Con Scientific warehouse just east of the Tamiami airport as part of a campaign against drug paraphernalia sales, known as Up In Smoke. U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement conducted the raid.

Since August, Up In Smoke agents have obtained 14 federal search warrants and confiscated 65,000 pieces, including bongs, pipes and smoking apparatus disguised as cigarettes, lipstick and highlighters.

Agents said some of the goods bore recognizable logos and cartoons that they say are designed to attract children.

Tony Mangione, revenue agent-in-charge for Customs and Immigration, said Up In Smoke began as a response to complaints from Fort Lauderdale residents that head shops were selling drug paraphernalia to minors.

Surveying the row of bongs decorated with cartoons from Dr. Seuss and The Simpsons, Mangione said, "While some may view drug paraphernalia as an innocuous reminder of the '60s, they sell a dangerous lie that teaches kids that it is fun to do drugs.''

Agents found records that indicate Da-Con Scientific, Inc., is the largest distributor in Florida, selling its wares to head shops throughout Florida and the United States, Mangione said.

Da-Con representatives refused to comment.

Nina Pruneda, a spokeswoman for the federal agency, said the investigations, centering on suppliers and sellers, continue. She said the agency plans to execute more search warrants.

Because the cases are before the U.S. attorney general's office, Pruneda said she could not comment on why no arrests had been made.

By KRISTEN BOLT

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