The State : School Drug Bust Nets 8

An eight-week undercover police investigation into drug dealing at four Huntington Beach high schools ended with the arrests of eight students on suspicion of selling cocaine and marijuana on campus, authorities said. The sting operation--the second of its kind in the city in two years--was undertaken at the request of school administrators. A similar operation two years ago at Edison High School resulted in 23 arrests. “This is part of a pro-active drug abuse campaign,” George Bloch, assistant school superintendent, said. “I don’t look at it as punitive, and I don’t look at it as bad.” Some students and teachers lauded the undercover investigation, saying the action was long overdue on the campuses. “I’d like a cop in every classroom if that would take care of the problem,” said Bob Hardigree, 17, a senior at Huntington Beach High, where two students were arrested.