Bedford County sheriff’s deputies conducted unannounced drug searches today at the county’s three high schools; officials say school administrators were not notified in advance. Deputies and narcotics K-9s performed the searches shortly after opening bells, with low-level lockdowns in place as they occurred. The sheriff’s office says the only contraband found was a pellet gun in a student’s car and a small amount of marijuana in a student’s book bag. Officials say the timing was based on available manpower, not on any specific concern.

From the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office: This morning the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office conducted a narcotics search of the county’s three high schools. Shortly after the first bell the school resource officers called for a low level lock-down of their schools. Bedford County Sheriff’s deputies, with the assistance of narcotics K-9s entered the schools. School administrators were not informed of the operation prior to the lock-down. This operation was a pre-planned event and like drills preformed in the schools yearly. Timing of this operation was based on man-power and resource availability, not specific concerns.

K-9s from the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office and Rocky Mount Police Department assistant Bedford County Sheriff’s K-9 deputies with the operation.

The only contraband found in the school searches this morning was a pellet gun in a student’s car and a small amount of marijuana in a student’s book bag. The lock-downs were lifted at all three schools at approximately 10:45 a.m.