Police in many communities across the U.S. have tried to crack down on so-called "brown-bag specials" -- grouping together for sale seemingly innocuous items that can be used to fashion crack pipes. But Walter Faulkner, owner of Faulkner's Central Food Mart, says the placement of items like cigars packaged in glass vials, lighters, and Chore Boy scrubbing pads in proximity to each other had nothing to do with drugs.

Faulkner was among 34 Lexington store owners who were either arrested or cited on drug paraphernalia charges. "They lumped me in with everyone else," said Faulkner, 71. "It has hurt my name. You work hard all your life for your character and what you're made of. You just don't take it lightly when people tear it down."

Police sent investigators into 40 stores asking to purchase a kit or paper bag. In 31 stores, informants were sold the grouped items.

But Faulkner said he does not sell the glass rose vials commonly used to make crack pipes, although he does sell cigars in glass vials. He said it was natural to sell lighters near the cigars by his counter, and that the scrubbing sponges were moved near the register because customers kept stealing them.

Faulkner said that a clerk did sell the items to an informant who asked for a kit, but only after the customer listed the items individually. "It was really entrapment," he said.

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