University of Virginia Library

Beware: Bust

State and federal authorities led by
Narcotics Agent Carl Deavers seem
determined to put away as many drug-toting
students as they can within a short time.
During the past week four students were
charged with the possession of controlled
drugs, and one student faced prosecution for
their manufacture. Shortly after that raid, the
agents struck again at an apartment occupied
by students, but they failed to find any
incriminating evidence.

By and large, the police have limited their
drug hunts to those students who are
manufacturing or selling to high school
students, not busting any for mere possession.
The raids have all been centered on private
dwellings off the Grounds.

The University and the police had a
"gentleman's agreement" of sorts which
provided that the Administration would be
adequately informed of a pending raid on the
Grounds or on a fraternity house so that they
could deal with the situation. This agreement
appears to have been terminated by the police
since the arrival of Agent Deavers.

Both dormitory counselors and IFC
representatives have been warned that the
Grounds and the fraternities are no longer
sacrosanct as far as police drug raids are
concerned. A quiet puff or two, much less the
storage of drugs in the dormitories or
fraternities, has assumed a new riskiness. The
signs all point to a big bust.

It appears as if the police, in their effort to
eradicate a habit a majority of students on the
Grounds probably indulge in from time to
time, are relying on phone taps and constant
surveillance. Big Brother is watching more
closely than ever.

Students may naturally react to this
warning with a spirit of indifference,
considering all of the previous warnings and
rumors that float about. However, the
inconvenience of precaution is far less
bothersome than the tragedy of spending
needless time in jail.