NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain — A tip from a high school student in Rota led to the investigation of a group of classmates accused of using and distributing illegal drugs on campus, a Navy spokeswoman said.
Five students faced a disciplinary board Monday and could be expelled from the school, base spokeswoman Lt. Allie Freeman said. The Navy did not release the names of the students because they are minors.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and base security are looking into the allegations to see if more students were involved. Between 15 and 20 students are suspected of using drugs on the campus of David Glasgow Farragut High School, sources familiar with the investigation told Stars and Stripes.
“That investigation is not done,” Freeman said. “They just completed enough of the investigation to do the hearing for these five kids.”
The students are accused of using and distributing hashish on school grounds. The school forwarded the allegations to military law enforcement officials on Oct. 6, according to a statement issued by the Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe. The Defense Department schools have made a “major effort” to create a drug-free environment on campuses, the statement added.
“The position of DODDS-Europe is now and has always been zero tolerance for possession, use or sale of controlled substances or any other contraband,” DODDS-Europe spokesman Frank O’Gara wrote.
“All allegations or evidence regarding such material are taken very seriously and are responded to immediately.”
The students have not been formally charged with U.S. federal or Spanish criminal charges. However, it is possible that the Defense Department could take additional legal action against the students, Freeman said.
The disciplinary board will determine if the allegations are true. If the committee determines they are, and the misconduct posed a danger to the individual or students, the board could recommend disciplinary action against the students.
Principal E.B. Stafford would make the final decision on any disciplinary action, if he believes it warrants it. Stafford referred all questions to O’Gara.
The students were suspended last week after a “concerned student” came forward and told the principal that the students were using and distributing the drugs on school grounds, Freeman said. An ensuing investigation netted the five students.
The board is expected to make a recommendation to the principal this week.
David Glasgow Farragut High School has 328 students in seventh through 12th grades.
