CLAYCOMO, Mo. -- A Claycomo pawn shop may have been a front for a drug operation, authorities who raided the business on Friday said.

Claycomo police and Clay County drug agents spent hours collecting evidence from Al's Pawn shop off U.S. Highway 69 and Bryant Street. They also took an employee into custody and later released him.

Authorities said they received tips that drugs were allegedly being sold in the pawn shop, and they were looking into allegations the store may have been pawning items bought with a stolen credit card.

Investigators said they recovered crack pipes, bongs and scales among other items.

The store remained closed on Friday night.