El Paso Sheriff’s Deputies Break Up School Ditch Party

At about 10:48 a.m. Wednesday, El Paso County Sheriff’s deputies were checking two juveniles in the 7900 block of Keily, El Paso County, Texas, when they were flagged down by a truant officer for the Canutillo School District who was near the area.

The truant officer provided authorities information on the possible whereabouts of several juveniles who were allegedly absent from Canutillo High School without authorization. Deputies checked the property address the truant officer provided and heard several noises emitting from within a building located within the property. Deputies found more than 20 juveniles within the building in two separate rooms and also noticed a distinct smell of burning marijuana coming from inside, according to sheriff’s officials.

While searching for more juveniles, sheriff’s deputies found two baggies and a rolled paper with marijuana inside, sheriff’s officials said. Deputies also located several prescription pills on site, sheriff’s officials said.

None of the juveniles claimed ownership of the found narcotics.

Canutillo ISD District officials working closely with sheriff’s deputies identified each of the juveniles. Arrangements made through the Canutillo Independent School District had the majority of the 22 juveniles transported back to school by a district bus, under the supervision of the truant officer.

The non-Canutillo ISD students were turned over their parents who were called to the scene. Deputies issued citations to several of the juveniles for possession of tobacco products.