STUDENTS CHARGED WITH DRUG POSSESSION

Two pupils of the Chaguanas Senior Comprehensive School appeared in
court yesterday charged with drug possession. One of them was
allegedly caught smoking marijuana in class. They were among three
secondary school pupils who were arrested for taking drugs into their
schools within the past week.

In the most recent incident, a 14-year-old Form Three pupil was
arrested after a Maintenance Training Security (MTS) officer allegedly
found a joint of marijuana in his schoolbag. The officer searched the
pupil before he entered the classroom yesterday morning and is said to
have found the illegal drug in the form of a large cigarette. The
cigarette weighed 1.1 grammes.

The boy was reprimanded and discharged.

A 16-year-old Form Four pupil attending the same school appeared
before Chaguanas First Court magistrate Nanette Forde-John after he
was allegedly caught smoking marijuana in a classroom. He was released
in his parent's custody and would reappear in court next week.
Forde-John also ordered a probation officer's report.

It is alleged that around 3 p.m. on Thursday a teacher saw the boy
smoking a cigarette inside a classroom. On investigation she found that
he was smoking marijuana and seized the drug. She called in the police
and Sgt Ajith Persad arrested and charged the pupil.

On Tuesday a pupil of ASJA Boys College, Charlieville, appeared before
Chaguanas Magistrate Marcia Murray charged with drug trafficking. The
16-year-old boy pleaded guilty and was reprimanded and discharged.