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  • 2 Busted for Fentanyl Distribution at Wakefield High School
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2 Busted for Fentanyl Distribution at Wakefield High School

The police charged the pair after two girls overdosed at Wakefield High School last week.

By Colleen Kelleher October 3, 2023 at 4:53 pm

Two teens face charges involving fentanyl distribution in Arlington after two girls suffered apparent fentanyl overdoses at Wakefield High School last week.

Arlington County police charged Walter Zelaya Padilla, 19, of Fairfax, with distribution of fentanyl to a minor, distribution of narcotics in a school zone, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The other boy charged is a juvenile. Because of his age, the police have not released his name. He is charged with distribution of fentanyl to a minor, distribution of narcotics in a school zone, and conspiracy to distribute narcotics, police said.

Two girls overdosed on September 27. When police arrived at the school around 11:45 a.m., one of the girls had been given a dose of Narcan. Both went to the hospital and have since recovered.

Detectives with the Organized Crime Section identified Padilla as the one suspected of supplying the fentanyl to the other teen who was arrested. That teen is believed to be the one who supplied the girls with the drug, police said.

Wakefield High School, like other NoVA schools, has been dealing with fentanyl overdoses this year. A 14-year-old Wakefield High School student who overdosed in a school bathroom in January died. Another student, who was 16, died last month. That teen was found dead at a Columbia Pike apartment building.

The police are still actively investigating what happened last week at Wakefield High School, and are asking people with information to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s tip line at 703-228-4180 or [email protected] or anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

You can also report narcotics activity through the department’s Confidential Drug Activity form.

Feature image courtesy Arlington County Public Schools

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