Did they look like Johnny Depp?
Posted on 05/10/2011 8:13:27 PM PDT by TheDingoAteMyBaby
An undercover drug sting that nabbed 30 Palm Beach County students last week is just the beginning of a long-term drug investigation that will expand to more high schools in the district, police said Monday.
The students arrested last week face expulsion, and most will be charged as adults for allegedly selling marijuana to kids near school campuses.
The nine-month investigation, dubbed "Operation D Minus," began in the fall at Park Vista, Royal Palm Beach and Jupiter high schools, School District Police Chief Jim Kelly said.
Undercover officers posed as students, attending classes for most of the school year and even doing homework, he said. They also befriended teens and bought drugs from them.
On May 2 and 3, police went into classrooms to arrest some of the students. Others were arrested at their homes. Most were charged with selling marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school. The operation also led to the arrests of students at William T. Dwyer High School and two who are home-schooled.
Police and school administrators said they hope the arrests are a warning to other students involved in drugs, and stop them from making the same mistake.
Although school drug stings are successful in scaring some students, it's not enough, said Jeff Kadel, executive director of the Palm Beach County Substance Awareness Coalition.
Educating parents and getting them involved in what their children do is key to curbing drug use among teens, he said. Many parents either are unaware of the problem or send the message that drinking and using marijuana are not a big deal, he said.
"Parents are without a doubt the biggest factor in keeping kids away from drugs," Kadel said.
School police should have arrested the students last fall to make a stronger impact, he said. Over the summer, their fear of being arrested may fade.
Administrators, though, said police needed enough time to investigate, and will spread their operation to other county schools in the fall. They declined to name those schools.
The youngest among those arrested were two middle school students, ages 13 and 14, charged with burglary. One goes to Independence Middle School and the other is home-schooled.
The oldest among those charged is 20, and a student in Jupiter High's adult-education program.
More students likely will be arrested soon, Kelly said.
"I think they should be looking over their shoulder," he said.
Concerns from principals about drug use on their campuses triggered the crackdown, Kelly said. Principals at Park Vista, Royal Palm Beach and Jupiter were the only ones in their buildings who knew undercover police were among the students.
The last undercover drug sting in Palm Beach County schools was Operation Old Schoolhouse in the 2005-06 school year, police said.
Thirteen students were arrested that January at Wellington, Forest Hill, John I. Leonard, William T. Dwyer and Jupiter high schools. Like now, most were charged with selling marijuana near campus.
In that investigation, five officers from Delray Beach and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office posed as students at the schools.
The young officers studied, attended football games and went to parties as they gathered evidence for their cases.
"We do these [operations] because we know there are drugs in schools, and we're going to keep doing them," Acting Superintendent Bill Malone said. "I doubt I will live long enough [to see] the time that it's not necessary to do these."
Current high school students might not remember drug busts five years ago, Malone said, but "I guarantee that they will remember this one next year and the year after."
School district policy requires that students be expelled when caught selling drugs. Those arrested last week have been suspended, and have the option to continue with alternative schooling, either online or at alternative teaching centers.
Did they target any teachers? Thought not.
Sorry...never did like Narcs and I didn’t do drugs. Something pretty unsavory about going after the users... the real money men are coming across the border with the aid and support of the US Govt and Homeland (un)Security.... what a croc!
And yet they cant seem to find the illegal day workers hanging out on the corner down the street...
Did they look like Johnny Depp?
Just freaking amazing isn’t it? Beyond belief! ... and they can count on the mindless to follow them in what they do. Meanwhile.. the REAL DRUG WAR is obliterating our southern border, at least what is left of it.
This is going after the low hanging fruit. Kids that age often make stupid decisions, then again maybe they should lock up all teenagers just for being annoying....hmmm
>>then again maybe they should lock up all teenagers just for being annoying
Works for me.
“We do these [operations] because we know there are drugs in schools, and we’re going to keep doing them,” Acting Superintendent Bill Malone said. “I doubt I will live long enough [to see] the time that it’s not necessary to do these.”
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It’s like flailing away at a mirage in the distance..
Personally, those undercover officers should be down at the border and at the ports if they wanted to make a contribution that might make a difference in the long run.
I guess the residents of Palm Beach can all sleep a little easier tonight knowing their tax dollars are being put to good use to protect them from crime.
Weed today aint like your daddys weed it kicks ass
For the record, I don't use any illegal drugs, I don't even drink, but low-end sting operations do not really change much in the overall picture. There will be other dealers and other users to fill the vacated niches.
Wasted how much money for a stupid press release like this? Never trust new students, kids.
Reefer Madness, stikes again.
Grow a potted plant from seed, harvest the leaves of the plant, dry them out and smoke them to get high.
Get caught doing that, and go to jail for years!
Foreigners who get caught for doing that, get warned about being deported.
Over dried plant leaves, that anyone can grow in any jar anywhere.
Did they also go on dates? What about texting?
Dating would be problematic if we’re talking about underage students and 20-something officers.
Remember kids, ALL cops surveil ALL the time. Common sense indicates ULEOs surveil here also at FR.
Ahhhhnd there it is.
Just wanted to see if someone would post it and save me the trouble.
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