Today, the Hanford Police Department concluded an undercover drug enforcement investigation at Hanford West High School that ended with the arrest of 10 students this morning for drug-related charges.
Earlier this school year, the Hanford Joint Union High School District cooperated with the Hanford Police Department to place an undercover officer at the school posing as a student to investigate drug sales on and around the campus.
"I hope parents will use this news as an opportunity to talk with their students about the realities of drug use," HJUHSD Superintendent Bill Fishbough said.
Hanford Police Chief Carlos Mestas said the "sting" operation was inspired by concerns expressed by school administrators and parents as well as reports by the department's own School Resource Officers.
Mestas approached Fishbough last fall about the plan to place an undercover officer at the school. Fishbough was the only District employee who knew about the undercover officer during the investigation and only a handful of Hanford police officers were privy to the knowledge as well. Secrecy is key to the success and safety of the undercover officer, Mestas said.
The officer was removed from the school when police suspected that his identity may have been compromised.
The undercover officer - who Mestas described as "old enough to drink, but looks 16" - was "enrolled" at Hanford West High School from Nov. 9 through Dec. 17 - a total of 17 school days. During that time, he bought drugs - including marijuana, vicodin, codeine and other prescription drugs - on and around the high school 13 times from 10 different people.
Hanford Police Captain Darryl Smith said he was not surprised by the results of the investigation.
"Hanford West was our starting point," he said. "But I think you would have similar results at any high school."
Mestas pointed out that prescription drug abuse is an increasing problem throughout the state.
"Parents: Watch your medicine cabinet," Mestas said. "Prescription drugs are dangerous. It's like putting a gun to your head and not knowing if there's a bullet in the chamber."
Hanford West High School Principal Bobby Peters said he hopes that the investigation and arrests will serve as a deterrent to all students.
"We need to take the necessary steps to keep drugs out of our schools," Peters said. "If there's even one student on our campus doing drugs or selling drugs, it's too many."
Mestas said the HPD is very likely to enact other "drug stings" at local schools in the future and that he hopes the overall impact of such investigations will be greater than the immediate results of arresting a handful of dealers.
"This is the most effective way we have to prevent drug sales on campus," Mestas said. "It is our belief that this program will be a tremendous deterrent on campuses. We need to do everything possible to get drugs off our campuses."
Fishbough said the District will continue to cooperate with the Hanford Police Department in investigating and deterring drug use.
"While this specific investigation was focused at Hanford West High School, this is just one part of larger ongoing efforts to help keep all of our campuses safe and drug-free," Fishbough said. "Though this portion of this investigation is ended, I want to assure our parents and community that we will continue to be vigilant in our commitment to keep drugs off of our campuses and away from our students."
