Teen arrested for selling prescription drugs at school

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A 14-year-old has been arrested for selling prescription drugs on campus at Terronez Middle School in southeast Fresno.

A security officer witnessed the drug deal on campus Thursday. Police say several students bought the prescription drug for $5 to $6 each. Fresno police say the teen brought and sold several prescription pills at school to other students.

Investigators say the 8th grader was dealing drugs throughout the day, including to another 8th grader who was tired after PE class.

Police say he also arranged at least one sale in advance. "He had at least 5 or 6 in a plastic bag at one time," Lt. Joe Gomez with the Fresno Police Department said. "At 8 a.m. he sold a Xanax bar -- it wasn't a whole Xanax bar because the student who bought it wanted half because he sold him half a Xanax bar for $5, and he had talked to the student the night before on Snapchat saying he's bringing it. The suspect described them as 'Zanis to school tomorrow.'"

Officers say the student, who was read his rights and refused a police interview, also had $35 in cash on him.

So far, officers were only able to track down two students who purchased the anti-anxiety drug. But detectives are looking for more. They are also trying to figure out where the student got the drugs from and whether he has sold them before.

The Fresno Unified School District issued a statement saying, in part, "We continue to reinforce with our students and families the dangers of drugs, including prescription medications."

Last month, two female students were also arrested on the same campus for selling Xanax. The investigation Thursday began when an alert security guard witnessed one of the drug deals right outside the gym. "School security saw that actually saw the suspect hand over a small plastic baggy to the buyer and afterward, the buyer purchased the bar he ran to his class."