Pubdate: Wed, 16 Mar 2005
Source: Intelligencer, The (WV)
Copyright: 2005 The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register
Contact: http://www.theintelligencer.net/news/feedback.asp
Website: http://www.theintelligencer.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1633
Author: Justin D. Anderson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

'DRUG SNIFF' TURNS UP LITTLE AT JOHN MARSHALL

MOUNDSVILLE - Around 25 law enforcement officers from five agencies and six 
K-9 units turned up little during a "drug sniff" operation at John Marshall 
High School on Tuesday morning. First Sgt. Scot Goodnight of the West 
Virginia State Police Moundsville detachment said it has been a couple of 
years since a spot-check of the high school was completed. A small amount 
of an illegal controlled substance was found Tuesday in a vehicle in the 
school parking lot, Goodnight said.

"Marshall County has always been very pro-law enforcement and pro-schools," 
Goodnight said. "It shows that the Marshall County education system is very 
committed to make their schools safe."

The Marshall County Sheriff's Department, St. Mary's Correctional Facility 
and the Sistersville and Glen Dale police departments also were involved in 
the search.

Goodnight said the search was coordinated between the agencies and school 
officials.

The search began at 8:45 a.m. following an announcement by the school's 
principal, David Takach.

"The principal makes an announcement that students will stay in their 
homerooms," Goodnight said, adding that students are assured they are "not 
in any danger" and there is "no cause for alarm."

Other than the small amount of drugs found in the unspecified vehicle, 
Goodnight said the search was relatively uneventful, consisted mostly of 
searching the parking lot and ended at 11:30 a.m.

"We had some indication (from the dogs) inside on some lockers with 
negative results," Goodnight said. "Once the lockers were looked at by 
school personnel, it was negative."

The dogs also "indicated" on some vehicles in the lot, but nothing else was 
found.

"Everything went very well," Goodnight said. "The administration at the 
school was cooperative, as were the students. ... Our goal is to find nothing."

The sheriff's department and State Police are still working on the 
investigation into the small find.

"We don't know which route we're going to go," Goodnight said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom