POLICE SEIZE DRUGS AT SCHOOLS

A Recent Crackdown On Drugs By The Selma Police Department Has Led To
Area Schools, Officials Said.

We will be stepping up our narcotics division throughout the city,"
said Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin of the recent series of
drug-related investigations and busts.

A couple of those investigations are underway at both Selma High
School and Meadowview Christian.

On Wednesday, March 8, according to law enforcement officials, a
substance appearing to be marijuana was confiscated from Selma High
School's campus and seven juveniles are reportedly a part of the
investigation. No arrests have been made at this time in connection
with the confiscated marijuana, as the investigation is ongoing.

Lynn Henderson, public relations supervisor for Selma City Schools,
said the school has not had previous problems with drugs, but if
it's discovered students are involved, the punishment will depend on
the severity of the offense.

This is a Class 3 offense and he or she could be suspended or be
recommended for expulsion with this type of offense," she said.

At Meadowview, police confiscated a white powdery substance that
appears to be cocaine, officials said. It has been sent to the
department of forensic sciences to determine for sure, noted Martin.

A student turned in the substance, according to Mike Gaylor,
headmaster for the school, and police were called in to investigate.

There are still many questions surrounding how it got there on
campus," said Gaylor.

Like Selma High School officials, Gaylor also said that during its
history, the school has not had problems with students using drugs
or bringing them to school.

Officials at both schools indicated that they conduct random drug
tests on students.

At the private school, Gaylor said he could recall only one instance
of a student testing positive for marijuana.

Police also made several arrests this past week during routine
patrols and traffic stops. Martin pointed out that the narcotics
unit would beef up its operation in known drug areas where citizens
have raised concerns.

The St. Phillips Street area saw a lot of activity last week.
According to police reports, patrolling officers noticed a group
loitering around the 1400 block. As police approached, the group
disbursed and officers moved in to investigate. Officers discovered
and confiscated two bags of what appeared to be cocaine with a
street value of about $200, along with two guns and ammunition in
the area, according to officials.

On Friday, March 10, while patrolling the same area, officers
recovered a plastic bag of what appeared to be crack cocaine with an
estimated street value of $375, police reports indicated. On that
same day, Ricdriques Terayne Parker was arrested in the vicinity of
L.L. Anderson and Keyser Alley on a charge of second-degree
possession of marijuana.

During a routine traffic stop by Patrol Officer Jeffery Hardy,
Darryl Brian King, 35, and Angel Lenoir, 24, both of Selma were
arrested last Wednesday, March 8, on charges of second-degree
possession of marijuana. Hardy confiscated three bags of alleged
marijuana at the scene. The two were taken into custody and bond was
set at $500.

On Saturday, March 11, another routine traffic stop yielded a drug
arrest. This time, Officer Hardy found both a substance believed to
be crack cocaine and marijuana residue.

Kevin Moore, 24, of Selma was arrested and charged
with second-degree possession of a controlled substance
and marijuana. Police also confiscated a black 2000 Jaguar in
connection with this arrest. The legal ownership of the vehicle is
in question, although it has not been determined for certain if it
was purchased with drug money, since police are still investigating
the Jaguar, said Martin. Bond for Moore was set at $20,000.

Martin warned that the narcotics unit would continue to diligently
pursue drug users and distributors in Selma.

Our narcotics unit is very proactive and they will be out there," he
emphasized.

If you suspect drug activity in your neighborhood, you can call the
secret witness hotline at 874-2190 to report it. The identity of
those who report crimes on this number will be kept confidential.