Athens smoke shop identified as crime “hotspot”

By Joe Johnson

The distribution and use of illegal drugs is rampant at a particular smoke and vape shop in Athens, according to the police.

A report by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department dated August 29th concerns an officer’s surveillance of activity around the Magic Smoke shop on Baxter Street.

“I was using magnified binoculars to watch individuals in the parking lot,” the officer said. “This area is known for being a hotspot of drug activity such as using, possessing and distributing.”

While watching the area, the officer saw a woman prepare and then smoke something believed to be a an illegal substance.

When detaining the 34-year-old woman, the officer found she had in her chest bag fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine. She was arrested for possession of those substances.

This so-called crime hotspot is practically across the street from the westside police substation and the Rocksprings Homes public housing complex.