13-year-old charged with trafficking ganja at school

POLICE have charged a 13-year-old male student of Coryal Secondary School, Cumuto, with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The student was held with 1.6 grams of marijuana and wrapping paper at the school on September 17.

Reports indicate that around 11.30 am on that day, officers attached to the School Oriented Policing Unit received information and acted swiftly to search the student, finding the drugs in his pocket. He was cautioned and informed of the offence and taken to the administration office where officers from the community policing section and Cumuto Police Station were called in to assist.

In light of this incident, parents are being urged to be more vigilant and take note of what their children are transporting in their schoolbags.

President of the National Council of Parent Teacher Association president Walter Stewart said this incident was “highly regrettable and grossly unfortunate” and called for greater parental involvement in their children’s personal and academic life.

“This is a wake-up call and an appeal for parents/guardians to draw closer to their children, know where your child is, who their friends are and what they are being exposed tom” Stewart said.

Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro expressed similar concerns.

DCP Junior Benjamin, a liaison officer for the School Oriented Policing Unit, read the riot act to students and parents, stating that there would be zero tolerance to drugs, weapons and indiscipline in school.

In a phone interview with the Newsday, Benjamin encouraged parents to take a more active role in their children’s lives ensuring that their school bags contain books, pens and pencils and not drugs and weapons.

“Anyone who violates the standing procedure of the school would be dealt with. There will be severe consequences if you are found with anything illegal on your person.”

Commenting on this situation and two incidents at Preysal Secondary school, one in which a police officer was locked in a classroom and the other involving a female student who became disruptive, verbally confronting an officer during a mandatory bag check at the school’s entrance, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander questioned, “Are we dealing with children?”