Editor's Note: This story was updated at 4:52 p.m. Dec. 11 with information received from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff's officials have confirmed the arrest Tuesday of 22 students at three Temecula high schools in connection with an undercover drug operation.
The arrests were made at the completion of a "long-term investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Investigations Bureau into allegations that juvenile students were selling illicit drugs on the campuses" of Temecula Valley and Chaparral high schools, said sheriff's Deputy Albert Martinez, in a news release.
"During the course of this investigation deputies seized various illegal narcotics, including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, heroin, LSD and illegal prescription drugs," Martinez said.
Twenty minors and two adult students were taken into custody Tuesday after they were identified as allegedly being involved in the drug sales, Martinez said.
"Arrest warrants were obtained for the juveniles and adults involved in the narcotic violations," Martinez said.
Names of students younger than 18 are typically protected in the juvenile court system; however the names of two adult students arrested on suspicion of their involvement were provided.
At Temecula Valley High School, Eduardo Rubio, 18, was arrested on suspicion of marijuana sales. He was being held at Southwest Detention Center on $60,000 bail, according to jail records.
Luke Waltrip, also 18, was taken into custody at Chaparral High School on suspicion of for narcotics sales. He was also being held at Southwest Detention Center, in lieu of $70,000 bail.
The juveniles were booked at Southwest Juvenile Hill on suspicion of outstanding warrants and any additional narcotics charges, according to Martinez.
Two adults were also arrested Tuesday when search warrants were served at a a Temecula home, according to Martinez.
Denise Robertson, 43 and Laverne Robertson, 44 were taken into custody at their residence in the 39000 block of Diego Drive in Temecula. They were booked on suspicion of child endangerment, Martinez said.
Assisting the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department with the arrests were members of the Southwest Corridor Narcotics Task Force, West County Narcotics Task Force, the Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and Temecula Police Department Special Enforcement Team.
"One of the goals of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Investigations Bureau is to maintain a drug-free living environment for the community," Martinez said. "Because our neighborhood children are the future, their objective is to keep children productive and drug-free."
He urged citizens to report illegal drug activity.
News of the massive police presence on campus Tuesday spread fast via social media.
"...anyone know why 10-12 police vehicles (most unmarked) turned East on Rancho Vista at the Temecula Valley HS at 845am?" said Rich Kirkpatrick, on Twitter.
"Lol people getting arrested today. Welcome to Temecula Valley ladies and gentlemen," said Alexz Quinlan on Twitter.
Brandon Rosser on Twitter called it a "Real life 21 jump street at temecula valley," where most of the students were arrested.
Following the large-scale bust Tuesday morning, school district officials sent email and telephone notifications to parents.
At about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, district officials said deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department arrived at Temecula Valley High School, Chaparral High School and Rancho Vista High School.
"The deputies informed our school administration that as part of an undercover drug operation, a total of 22 students from our school district would be taken into custody," said Melanie Norton, spokesperson for the Temecula Valley Unified School District.
Deputies escorted the students out of class and off campus without incident, Norton said.
Fifteen students from Temecula Valley High School were detained, five from Chaparral High School and two from Rancho Vista Continuation High School, according to Norton.
Temecula Valley High School Principal Richard Lawrence Jr. sent an email notification to parents regarding the police activity at the school.
"It is unfortunate that such a situation may negatively portray our great school," Lawrence said. "However, the facts still remain that Temecula Valley High School has great students who are doing phenomenal things, that out shine the possible issues of a few."
District officials said they adhere to a "zero tolerance policy" when it comes to drug use.
"The education and safety of all students on our campus is our top priority," Norton said. "Anything that may prohibit this from happening on our campus will always be dealt with in a swift and efficient manner."
