El Salvador’s National Civil Police (PNC) detained an 18-year-old student carrying several portions of drugs outside the Instituto Nacional José Simeón Cañas in Zacatecoluca, La Paz Este.[1] The arrest took place in the morning, shortly before the student went in to classes.[1] Police identified the detainee as Josué E., a bachillerato student at the same school; bachillerato is the upper secondary stage taken in the two or three years before university.[1]

Officers seized seven portions of marijuana that he was carrying when they stopped him.[1] The PNC said the detention formed part of the preventive operations it runs at schools in the area to curb drug use and distribution among students.[1] Police confirmed he will be sent to judicial authorities on a charge of drug possession and holding.[1] In its statement the PNC quoted a warning that anyone found with illegal substances will be captured and brought before the courts.[1]

Under Salvadoran law, drug possession and holding can carry prison sanctions depending on the quantity and type of substance seized, as well as reoffending or links to other offences.[1] The authorities gave no information on whether the student acted alone or belonged to a distribution network operating in schools.[1] The PNC said it would continue operations in schools in La Paz Este and other regions.[1]