Man arrested for drug procession near CHS

A tip from an off-duty state trooper led to a drug bust near Clarendon High School and the arrest of one young man last Friday night.

A group of young people reportedly seated themselves near off-duty DPS Trooper Chris Ward at the football field during Friday’s scrimmage. Ward could smell marijuana on the youth and called local law enforcement from the field, according to officials with the Donley County Sheriff’s Department.

 Deputy Bruce Berrell stopped a vehicle with five occupants near Fourth and Koogle streets shortly after 8 p.m. and said he could smell marijuana in the car.

After a discussion, the driver was read his rights and voluntarily produced the controlled substance from the vehicle’s center console, Burrell said.

Thomas Lynch Roach of Canyon, age 19, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute within a drug-free zone.

Roach was booked into the Donley County Jail and was later released on $5,000 bond. He has no prior criminal record, Burrell said.

The other four occupants of the vehicle were released to their parents with no charges pending.

“Our main objective is to make people aware that you can’t have this stuff around our school kids,” Burrell said.

Possessing a weapon, alcohol, or narcotics of any kind within 1,000 feet of school property is illegal, the deputy said. Possessing narcotics in the drug-free zone with intent to sell can be a third degree felony.

For reference, officials say one city block is about 300 feet.

The drug-free zone law applies to public schools, property leased or used by schools, and higher education campuses.

“If we can help one person stay off this stuff, we’ve accomplished something,” Burrell said. “I don’t think [these kids] realize what this stuff can do to them.”

Chief Deputy Butch Blackburn and DPS Trooper Chad Simpson also assisted with Friday’s bust.