22 HIGH-SCHOOLERS ARRESTED IN TEXARKANA DRUG STING

Police arrested 22 high school students Tuesday on drug charges after a 22
year old undercover narcotics officer infiltrated Arkansas High School in
Texarkana and befriended many of the defendants.

Many of those arrested said "We knew he was a narc," but obviously didn't,
police Lt. Mark Lewis said Tuesday.

Some of the students trafficked in marijuana and cocaine on school
property. One student sold "John Swaggs" a semiautomatic weapon off campus,
Lewis said.

Police sent the officer to the 1,000 student school after receiving
complaints from students, teachers and parents about alleged gang activity
and possible violence, police spokesman Glenn Greenwell said.

Officer John Van Meter was making his first undercover appearance.

"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.

Twelve students were arrested at school and 10 others were picked up at
home. Warrants are pending for two more students.

The youths range in age from 26 to 18. It's up to a prosecutor to decide
whther to charge the minors as adults.

Lewis said the undercover element 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 a confidant.

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.

"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.

No bond has been set yet for the students.

Once bond is posted, those who can't make the bond will have a hearing as
soon as possible, Lewis said.

"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."
said principal James Floyd.

One Ashdown High School student was also arrested in the raids.