SCHOOL DRUG NET STUNG

Man, Student Arrested For Selling At L. Merion High

The dealings of the drug cartel were simple: Sell ecstasy, LSD and
marijuana to Lower Merion High School students at inflated prices. The
students then boost the prices even further and peddle the illicit wares to
their classmates for profit.

The suburban operation has now been shut down as a result of an undercover
police sting, and a Philadelphia man and high school senior are under
arrest, Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor Jr. announced
yesterday.

Joel Meltzer, 31, of Overbrook Park, allegedly sold the drugs to the
17-year-old and four other Lower Merion students. Three of the kids then
resold them to their classmates, Castor said.

"We really applaud District Attorney Bruce Castor for helping us send a
very clear message that there will be consequences for illegal drug use
and/or posession, whether they are students or anybody else, but
particularly when it involves the lives of our young people, there will be
consequences," David Magill, the Lower Merion superintendent, said.

Castor would not release the names of the juveniles involved. One student
has been arrested so far, he said.

The kids allegedly involved in the drug scandal picked up the goods at
Meltzer's Overbrook Park home, Castor said. Two of the kids bought the
stuff for their own use, but three junior entrepreneurs upped the price and
resold the drugs to their classmates, he said.

Cops made undercover ecstasy purchases from the 17-year-old, then later
arrested him, Castor said.

When the senior was nabbed on the way to school, he was carrying pot and a
list of drug transactions, law enforcement officials said. The names on the
list led police to other students allegedly involved in buying drugs.

The DA's office and local police departments participated in the investigation.

Meltzer and the students admitted their involvement in the drug deals,
Castor said.

Meltzer allegedly bought ecstasy tablets for $12 apiece, added a $5 markup
on each, then sold them to the adolescent peddlers, Castor said. The kids
then allegedly resold them for $25 each, pocketing an $8 profit on each
pill. The middlemen allegedly turned the bulk of the money over to Meltzer.

Meltzer allegedly sold marijuana to the kids for $400-$450 per ounce,
Castor said.

Meltzer is being held on $50,000 cash bail.

Lower Merion high last made it into the news in April, when the district
superintendent banned all dances - except for the prom - because of
drinking and simulated sex acts.

Instead of dirty dancing, this year's senior prom featured ecstasy,
allegedly sold through the in-school operation. *