11 STUDENTS ARRESTED IN BUST

WINDER -- A six-month undercover sting operation resulted in the
arrests Monday of 11 Winder-Barrow High School students.

Three juveniles ages 15 and 16 were arrested along with [Name
redacted], 17; [Name redacted], 18; [Name redacted], 17; [Name
redacted], 18; [Name redacted], 17; [Name redacted], 17; [Name
redacted], 18; and [Name redacted], 19.

The students face multiple drug-related charges.

The arrests began about 9:15 a.m. Monday at the school, about 30
minutes after classes began.

"They waited until after the students were settled in their classes
to avoid making a big spectacle," said Lt. Todd Druse, Winder Police
Department spokesman. "It was all over within about half an hour."

One juvenile ran into the courtyard and was apprehended by police.

One of the 11 students did not come to school Monday and was arrested
at home, with assistance from Barrow County sheriff's deputies.

A 20-year-old undercover agent was placed as a student in the school
after Principal Rob Johnson voiced concerns to Winder Police Chief
Stanley Rodgers. Johnson had received numerous complaints from
parents, students and community members about the possibility of
illegal drug transactions at the school.

"This operation began as a fact-finding mission," Johnson said. "We
wanted to see if the complaints were true."

During his six-month term, the undercover agent purchased marijuana,
methadone, Soma, Vicodin, Lortab, Xanax, Percocet and cocaine in 26
separate transactions, according to Druse.

Teachers did not know the agent was not a student, according to Druse.

"He had to do homework and take geometry," Druse said. "He said he
didn't have to take geometry the first time he was in high school. He
kept up good grades."

The agent has returned to regular duty at the Winder Police Department.

Dr. Ron Saunders, superintendent of schools, reiterated Barrow County
schools' zero tolerance policy.

"I hope the message we are sending is loud and clear," Saunders said.
"We care deeply about the lives of our students and this is a tragedy
for all the families involved. However, the law is very clear -- the
school campus is a place for learning."

Johnson prefers to focus daily on the school's productive students.

"It is important for us to uncover this activity, solve these
problems and focus our attention on the majority of positive,
productive students who come to school every day to get a good
education," Johnson said.

A bond hearing for the students is set for 8 a.m. today in Barrow
County's magistrate court.

The Barrow County School System offers professional help to any
student suffering from drug abuse or addiction, according to Lisa
Leighton, spokeswoman for the school system.