Franklin Students And Parents React To Drug Sting Near Campus

A drug bust steps away from Franklin High School in West El Paso was surprising, but not shocking for some students.

“I know Franklin has a lot of drugs,” one senior told ABC-7. “It’ll take you probably no more than 15 minutes to find someone that can give you drugs,” said another.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Strike Team in conjunction with El Paso Independent School District’s police department arrested six teens and two men in their 20s involved in a suspected ecstasy trafficking ring.

The two law enforcement agencies launched an investigation in early February in reference to complaints about an ongoing narcotic activity at area schools, mostly consisting of ecstasy pills. The primary school of concern was Franklin High School, according to sheriff’s officials.

Information received by law enforcement revealed details of narcotic dealing near Franklin High School and descriptions of possible dealers were provided. A drug sting operation commenced a short time later where undercover Strike Team Deputies attempted to make narcotic purchases from dealers in the area that may include students from the district.

Surveillance units converged on the area of Franklin High School where authorities observed allegedly suspicious activity by students and patrons of nearby businesses near Franklin High School. On Friday, February 25, 2011, undercover deputies approached a crowd of teens in a nearby parking lot and were directed to a person where ecstasy pills could be sold to them, sheriff’s officials said.

Over the course of the next month and a half, Strike Deputies / EPISD PD Police Officers identified and began purchasing ecstasy pills from several individuals resulting in the arrests of the eight people.

EPISD officials released the following statement: “EPISD police services has cooperated and assisted the El Paso County Sheriff with Operation Blue Shield which includes the arrest of one Coronado High School student.. Although the crimes were not committed on District property, the student allegedly involved will be disciplined based on the student code of conduct. The district takes drug prevention efforts extremely seriously and provides educational outreach and assistance from counselors and EPISD police services to ensure for the safety of our students. Many high schools also have EPISD Police K-9 units to further assist in keeping drugs off their campuses”

Students at Franklin told ABC-7 that school administrators have been tyring to get a handle on the problem. “They make at least a search a week with drug sniffing dogs here at school. All they can do is just keep doing what they’re doing,” said senior Cassandra Caraveo.

Maria Luisa Urias, whose son is a senior at Franklin, said it’s worrisome that the temptations for students to get high could be right across the street from school. “As parents, we just need to be more mindful of what our kids are doing,” she said.

Below is a list of those arrested: ERIC RIOS HERNANDEZ, 18, Man/Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 Under 1 gram/Drug Free Zone

ADRIAN LARIS, 17, 1.) Man/Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 Under 1 gram 2.) Man/Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 Under 1 gram

GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ, 19, Man/Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 Under 1 gram/Drug Free Zone

OSHUA CORDERO, 17, Evading Arrest/Detention Arrested

ANTONIO ZAVALA, 18, Evading Arrest/Detention Arrested

VICTOR MANUEL LOPEZ, 18, Man/Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 Under 1 gram, Man/Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 Under 1 gram, Man/Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 1gram-U/4grams. 1.) Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, 4grams-U/200 grams 2.) Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2, 4grams-U/400 grams 3.) Possession of Marijuana U/2ounces

JULIO CESAR ROBLES, 23, Man/Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 4grams-U/400grams,

Possession of controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 1gram-4grams.

STERLING TORRES, 23, Possession of Marijuana U/2-oz