Dog sniffs out high school drug ring

A routine search of Carson High School by a drug-sniffing dog resulted in the arrest of five students over a two-day period on drug charges.

"At 10:30 a.m. Tuesday our officer was conducting a random K9 search in the (Jim Randolph High Tech Center) when the dog reacted to a jacket that was lying on the floor," said Chief Deputy Scott Burau.

Inside the jacket, Burau said, officers found "small baggies of marijuana."

"Two female students, 15 and 16 years old, readily admitted to being in possession of the drugs," he said.

Burau said the students went on to tell officers there were additional drugs hidden in a drop location in the girl's bathroom of the Tech Center.

The Carson City Sheriff's Department recovered a total of 26 grams of marijuana packaged for sale in 5-gram baggies, Burau said.

The juveniles were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell.

Another student, also a ninth-grader, was arrested when the drug dog, Tahoe, discovered another bag of marijuana in his jacket. He was charged with possession of marijuana.

Burau said the investigation led to a home on Carson Meadows Drive early Wednesday morning where two teens were also found in possession of marijuana.

None of the students have been in trouble before, he said.

"We enjoy great cooperation between the Sheriff's Department and the school," Burau said.

Superintendent Mary Pierczynski was pleased with the arrests.

"We don't want this junk at the schools," said Pierczynski. "They found some drugs on some students and they took appropriate action. We want students arrested."

Dean Fred Perdomo wouldn't speak directly about the students arrested Tuesday but said the school's response is dictated by standing policy.

"Discipline for possession or being under the influence of a controlled substance is anywhere from 10 to 90 days," he said. "It depends on prior discipline, if a major amount is found and if its packaged for sale."

Dog handler Deputy Brian Humphrey conducts at least two random drug searches at the school per week.

"We're not naive to think there aren't drugs in the school," Burau said. "But with the cooperation and assistance of the schools we will continue to enforce a drug-free environment."