Random School Sweep Lands Teen in Jail for Cannabis found in his vehicle

A High School student in Ohio was arrested Friday for Possession with intent to distribution on a school zone when police conducted a random, unannounced sweep of Bradley Central High School.

The cannabis was located in the young mans vehicle, not inside f the school and it is unclear how police came to the conclusion that his intent was to distribute the cannabis to other students.

The Cleveland Daily Banner reports "The sweep took place around 9 a.m. Thursday during a scheduled, but separate, lockdown drill. With the help of K-9 units, the Cleveland Police Department and the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office were alerted to a vehicle containing "narcotics and paraphernalia," later revealed to be marijuana, according to a press release from BCSO Public Information Officer Taylor Woodruff. "

The schools handbook, like many others nationwide gives the school the right to search lockers or anything else on school property without prior consent of the student or their parent. The exact verbiage in the BCH handbook states “Searches can be conducted of any student, place or thing on school property or any possession of any student during any organized school activity, off-campus event or if a reasonable cause has been created.  This includes vehicles, lockers and all student storage areas,”

Many schools are required to conduct these searches annually per local school board regulation. Parents and students are not given an opt-out option in any instance. Walker Valley High School Principal Nat Akiona said that this was part of a partnership between local law enforcement and the school system. 

No information on whether or not the teen was held or released from custody has been published. The records of those arrested under the age of 18 are shielded from the public for the minors safety.