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Boy, 15, facing drug charges after lockdown at Bernie Custis high school

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lockdown Bernie Custis high school
Hamilton police search for a bag that may contain a firearm at Bernie Custis Secondary School on Nov. 29, 2023 (Duane Worth/CHCH News).
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A 15-year-old-boy is facing multiple drug trafficking charges after Hamilton’s Bernie Custis high school was sent into lockdown as police searched for a bag that reportedly contained a firearm.

The school was placed under lockdown just before 11 a.m. after police received reports of a potentially armed male suspect on the grounds of the school.

While investigating, officers received information that the individual had left the area in a vehicle.

That vehicle was soon found nearby at a gas station with five occupants who were all taken into custody due to the initial suspicion of a firearm.

A search of the vehicle led to no firearm being found, leading police to believe that the weapon remained in a bag on school grounds.

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In addition to the school itself, the surrounding recreation centre and Jimmy Thompson Pool were all placed under lockdown for several hours as investigators continued their search.

A spokesperson for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board confirmed that students were dismissed early at 1:45 p.m. when the lockdown lifted.

The boy, identified solely as a student of Bernie Custis, faces charges of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking and proceeds of crime under $5,000.

Detectives have not disclosed any charges against the four others that were in the vehicle at the time of it being stopped or if they have been released from custody.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Det. Srgt. Candice Culp 905-546-2907.

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