What can an officer charge an individual with if they find drug paraphernalia, such as a burnt pipe?

When an officer finds drug paraphernalia, such as a burnt pipe, they can charge the individual with possession of drug paraphernalia. This is because the presence of the paraphernalia indicates that the individual has been engaged in drug-related activities, even if they do not possess illegal substances at that moment.

Possession of drug paraphernalia is a specific offense that focuses on the tools or items used to consume or manufacture illegal drugs. This charge does not require evidence of the actual possession of narcotics, making it applicable in situations where only the paraphernalia is present. It allows law enforcement to address drug-related activities effectively, even when the primary illegal substances are not found.

The other options pertain to different aspects of drug-related offenses, which may not necessarily apply in the case of just having the burnt pipe. For instance, possession of narcotics would imply that the individual has illegal drugs in their possession, while drug trafficking involves distribution or sale of illegal substances. Possession with intent generally implies a larger scale operation, typically with a significant amount of drugs intended for sale, rather than mere possession of a single piece of paraphernalia.