ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 25, 1997 TAG: 9704250040
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA THE ROANOKE TIMES
Once again, Montgomery County drug investigators crack down on dealing involving college students.
The Montgomery County Drug Task Force arrested several Virginia Tech students on drug charges this week after 47 indictments were returned by the Montgomery County grand jury Monday.
Police seized 15 ounces of marijuana valued at more than $2,000, 14 grams of crack and 12 grams of powder cocaine valued at nearly $3,000, 58 "hits" of LSD valued at $245, as well as prescription drugs and hallucinogenic mushrooms, according to a task force press release. Three firearms were also seized during the investigation.
The direct indictments and eventual arrests conclude a six-month investigation into illegal drug activity. Police arrested 20 adults, 13 of whom are Tech students. An arrest of one juvenile on two counts of distributing crack cocaine is pending, the release said.
This is the second roundup of Tech students this year. The task force arrested 15 students in late January on a variety of charges ranging from misdemeanor possession of marijuana to felony distribution of LSD.
Several students were charged with a separate felony count of distributing drugs on or near school property, which increases significantly the penalty that can be imposed by the court. If found guilty of the maximum offense under the school drug law, a suspect can be sentenced to up to five years in prison and fined up to $100,000.
Two of the men arrested during this sweep were also arrested during the January roundup. Both students are listed as art majors in the Tech student directory.
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