Three Teens Sell Drugs Instead Of Schoolwork: Police

LAKELAND, FL — Three teenage boys who were supposed to be doing virtual schoolwork sold drugs via social media instead while their parents were at work, a Polk County Sheriff's Office news release said.

Police arrested two of the three boys on Thursday in an undercover operation.

Investigators said THC cartridges used in vape pens and marijuana were being solicited via Snapchat to Polk County students.

An undercover detective made contact with one of the 17-year-old boys on Snapchat, and arranged for a drug transaction at a local gas station, said authorities.

The two 17-year-old suspects entered the detective's vehicle officials say, and a 14-year-old boy remained outside.

One of the boys in the vehicle sold the undercover detective 56.8 grams of high-grade marijuana for $400, said police.

At that point, the two 17-year-old boys were arrested. The 14-year-old boy was not charged and turned over to his parents.

"Here is what happens when the parents are away at work and the kids are left home alone to attend virtual school," said Sheriff Grady Judd in a news release. "Without the proper supervision, many of them are going to get into trouble. This particular scheme could have gotten them robbed, hurt, or even killed. This is another example of the potential dangers of social media for children and teens, and the serious danger and trouble that kids can get into on social media platforms when they are not supervised."

The two 17-year-olds were both taken to the juvenile assessment center in Bartow, and according to police, charged with:

• Possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
• Possession of marijuana-over 20 grams.
• Selling marijuana.
• Use of 2-way communication device to sell marijuana
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

The Polk County Sheriff's Office will not release the name of the suspects since they are minors.