By Drew Moody
drew@wvmountainsun.com
Instead of the typical Monday morning Gilmer County High School, students
were "locked down" as members of the West Virginia State Police searched
the facility for illegal drugs and contraband.
The search apparently lasted much of the morning, unnamed sources said.
Five troopers and two drug dogs conducted the search.
Apparently nothing illegal was discovered in the building.
When the drug dogs were taken to the parking area of the school the
canines registered a positive reaction, leading to several cars that were
searched.
A pipe, believed to be used to smoke marijuana, was discovered in one car.
It is unknown whether marijuana was confiscated with the pipe.
That student has been suspended for 12 months.
Three others had the same
fate at a Gilmer County Board of Education special meeting Tuesday
night. Three additional students were expelled, bringing the total for
the year to six.
Gun shells were found in one or more vehicles.
Because of provisions in the West Virginia Code stipulating a meeting
will be held within one day of such an offense, it is believed the
expulsions may have been connected with the drug search at the school.
All expulsion hearings are held in executive session and board members
are prevented from revealing details of the incidents.
Members of the WV State Police who participated in the search were not
available for comment due to their work schedule.
Local officers have previously indicated efforts to combat drug activity
in Gilmer County and the surrounding areas are ongoing.
Officers
maintain the illegal drug problem in the area is more significant than
most people realize.
A Northview Apartment resident was recently hospitalized after an
apparent overdose of methadone. Authorities said that individual is
believed to be in very serious condition.
And a recent Glenville area death is being investigated due to what
police said is 'suspicious' evidence in the case.
See also wvmountainsun.com
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