Three teens arrested in prescription drug sales

Three Carson High sophomores were arrested Tuesday, two on campus and one four blocks away, on suspicion of selling prescription drugs, a Tri-Net Drug Taskforce Official said.

According to Lt. Scott Jackson, a 16-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy were called out of their last class of the day and each arrested on suspicion of two counts of sales of a controlled substance. A 16-year-old boy was also arrested on the same charges at the corner of Robinson and Harbin streets.

"They were all arrested for selling oxycodone and hydrocodone tablets," Jackson said. "We don't know where they were getting them from at this point, but we are pretty confident these are not drugs prescribed to them."

The names of those involved are not being released because they are juveniles. A small amount of what is believed to be tablets in crushed form was recovered during the arrest of one of the teens.

Jackson said Tri-Net received numerous tips in the last several months about prescription drug sales and use among the teen population.

During the course of their investigation, Tri-Net allegedly bought "more than a handful," of oxycodone and hydrocodone pills from the three students for $1 a milligram.

The drugs come in 20-, 40-, 60- and 80-milligram tablets costing from $20 to $80 per tablet. When legally sold, a 10-mg tablet of OxyContin will cost $1.25 and an 80-mg tablet will cost $6.

Jackson said the Tri-Net "buys," happened off school grounds and after school hours.

Tuesday's arrests came on the heels of the arrest of another sophomore two weeks ago who is accused of selling drugs on school grounds to a classmate who overdosed.

Sgt. Bob White said the girl admitted to selling several pills to a 15-year-old boy for about $15. The boy remains in critical condition on life-support, White said.

Oxycodone is a highly addictive semi-synthetic opiate. It is sold as a time-release formula of the analgesic under the brand name OxyContin, according to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.

Hydrocodone is a highly addictive painkiller that is nearly as potent as morphine for pain relief. When mixed with acetaminophen, it's sold under the brand name Vicodin.

"I think all of us as school officials are concerned. We want to address the problems that we have," said Carson City School District Superintendent Mary Pierczynski, who said the school was informed of the pending arrests Monday. Tri-Net officials allowed the dean to call the students into the hallway before making the arrests, she said. "Drugs on high school campuses throughout the nation is an issue. We are going to cooperate with law enforcement."

Jackson said an investigation into the supplier of the tablets continues.

n Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.