CELINA, Ohio -- The Celina Police Department and Celina City Schools partnered on Tuesday to insure that the environment in the local schools remains safe and conducive to learning.

With assistance from the area local police canine training group, drug sweeps were completed at Celina Senior High School, Celina Middle School, the student and faculty parking areas at the Celina High School and student parking areas on the surrounding city streets.

There was one “hit” by a canine on student locker in the Celina Senior High building, but a search of the locker revealed no illicit substances. There were hits on two vehicles parked in the student parking area. Searches of one of those vehicles resulted in school officials seizing tobacco products and beer from a student’s car. Those items were turned over to Celina Police officers and the 18-year-old student was cited for underage possession of alcohol.

Two cars parked on Devonshire Drive, across from the Celina Senior High School were alerted to by canines. Both these vehicles were checked and nothing was found. Canine units will often alert to a location or vehicle because of associated contact with an illegal substance.

The ongoing program of drug sweeps on lockers and parking areas sends a clear message that drugs will not be tolerated by Celina City Schools.

Area law enforcement agencies assisting the Celina Police Department in the drug sweep included the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, St. Marys Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Sidney Police Department and Delphos Police Department.