They used to sell drugs out of ice cream trucks, and we had a newspaper hawker who got killed while selling cocaine along with the morning news. Now we learn that the feds are accusing the owner of an Utz potato chip stall in Lexington Market, along withhis girlfriend, of selling guns to gangs such as the Bloods, the Crips and the Hells Angels.

Seems like it's time for the market folks to update their Web site. Here's how they describe the historic attraction built on land donated by a "hero of the American Revolution" and named for the Battle of Lexington: "Without waiting for streets, sheds or stalls, outlying farmers converged on the site as soon as General Howard gave the word. They trundled up 'in great Conestoga wagons, their horses strung with bells, making their own roads. On the rolling green yard, they spread out hams, butter, eggs, turkeys and produce."

Here's how the Baltimore Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives describes what they allege happened at the Utz stall, using coded lingo for confidential informants (you got to love the feds stuffing $3,600 in a bag from an Utz competitor!):

On February 21, 2008 at approximately 11:30 am, D/C 1759 was given $3600.00 in Baltimore Police Department funds which was then secreted in a Doritos bag. Accompanied by a surveillance team, D/C 1759 went to the Lexington Market and directly to Papantonakis' potato chip stand where he handed the Doritos bag to Heberle. D/C 1759 told Heberle "this is for Mike." Det. Bradley observed this from a location in the Market. Det. Bradley observed Heberle remove the money from the Doritos bag ahd begin to count it. Later, at approximately 2:00 pm, ATF CI-210 received a phone call from Papantonakis who said he was on his way to pick up the guns and would be back shortly. At approximately 5:20 pm, Papantonakis called ATF CI-21 0 and told him/her the guns were available for pick up at the Market. At approximately 5:45 pm, ATF CI-210 and D/C 1759 drove to the Market, followed by a surveillance team. While in route to the Market, Papantonakis called ATF CI-210 and instructed him/her to meet him in the Market parking lot as the Market was closed.

In one case, authorities say the suspects wanted to send a message to the market's manager:

"Once at the potato chip stand VIC 1759 was advised by Sharon Horn that Papantonakis was sitting in his truck in the loading dock area waiting for VIC 1759. Horn then directed VIC 1759 to the loading dock area. Once VIC 1759 exited the Lexington Market into the loading dock area, s/he found Papantonakis sitting in a red sport utility vehicle. VIC 1759 approached the vehicle and entered same sitting in the front passenger seat. Once in the vehicle, Papantonakis told VIC 1759 that he was looking for someone to "take care" of the manager that runs the Lexington Market, Casper Genco. Papantonakis told VIC 1759 that he knew everything there was toknow about GENCO - what time he comes to work, what time he leaves work, etc. Papantonakis told VIC 1759 that he even knew where all the security cameras were. VIC 1759 asked Papantonakis ifhe wanted Genco killed and Papantonakis stated that he didn't want him killed, he just wanted him beaten.

The suspects deny the charges. The accusations, reported earlier this week in City Paper, got me wondering about other interesting places serve as conduits for gun and drug exchanges? I'm thinking of places we all go to day in and day out and never stop to think about what nefarious deals might be happening right under our noses.

Let's try for a Top 10 list of unexpected places to buy drugs and guns in and around Baltimore.