DRUG STING AT SCHOOL NETS TEENS

TEXARKANA -- The local police had heard the complaints, the fears of
parents, teachers and students. They told tales of illegal drugs, violence
and gangs at Texarkana's Arkansas High School.

"We had heard from parents about major problems in the school. We heard that
drugs were rampant," Police Chief Bob Harrison said.

In response, police assigned an undercover officer to infiltrate the
1,000-student school in August, where he could mingle with students, learn
the system and see crime from the inside.

That six-month investigation has led to the arrest of about 25 youths and
adults, most facing charges related to the buying or selling of illegal
drugs.

Twelve students were arrested Tuesday at the school, and 10 others were
picked up at home, police said.

Some students are accused of selling marijuana and cocaine on school
property, and one student sold a semiautomatic weapon off campus, Texarkana
police Lt. Mark Lewis said.

Investigators said they are pleased that crime at the high school was less
than they originally thought.

"There were no obvious indication of gang-related violence, weapons
violations or serious breaches in security involving the student body,"
Harrison said.

Police spokesman Glenn Greenwell said, "We found out our schools are in good
shape with the exception of a few individuals."

Jerry Moody, superintendent of the school district, said he is grateful the
arrest numbers were not higher.

"Police could only find criminal activity in less than 1 percent of the
student body," Moody said. "Often folks are of the opinion that the
Arkansas-side school district is a hot bed of criminal activity."

Officer John Van Meter made his first undercover appearance to spearhead the
investigation. He said he had to turn back the clock to play the role.

"I completely changed my appearance, changed my personality and tried to
revert back to what I did when I was that age," Van Meter said.

Lewis said going undercover was the only way to nab the students.

"You can't gain their confidence as readily as you could with adults," he
said. But a student or someone posing as one gave them someone to confide
in.

Some of the arrested students had said they suspected the interloper was a
law officer, Lewis said. "A lot of them were surprised. Some of them made
the obvious comments: 'We knew he was a narc.' "

But their suspicions were not great enough for them to change their
behavior, investigators said.

Those charged range in age from 16 to 18. About half are students at the
high school, and most will be charged as adults, said Carlton Jones, Miller
County assistant prosecutor.

"We have dealt with these numbers before, but never where we had to process
that number of juvenile cases with these kind of charges at one time," Jones
said. "It has kept us busy."

Most of the suspects face a felony charge of possession of drugs with intent
to deliver. One person was charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and
a firearm after selling the undercover officer the weapon for $300. One
Ashdown High School student also was arrested.

Parents milled in and out of the police station Tuesday to inquire about
bail for their children.

"There's been some obvious denials on the part of parents. There have been
some who have been supportive of the police operation," Lewis said.

Van Meter made about a half-dozen drug purchases on campus, Greenwell said.

Most of the drug deals began with contacts made at the school; then the
officer would complete the deal elsewhere, which led to the arrest of a few
nonstudents.

"We simply had an officer who was able to make numerous drug transactions
based on activities at the campus," Greenwell said.

Principal James Floyd said the sting was necessary to build confidence in
the school and community.

"I think this shows we're serious about not having drugs in the campus. We
owe it to our students and parents to keep this place as safe as possible,"
he said.

Both police and school officials hope drug activity will soon decrease at
the school.

"I would be surprised if a student would be foolish enough to try any drug
trafficking after today," Moody said.

Information for this article was contributed by Lori Dunn of the Texarkana
Gazette and by The Associated Press.