A drug sweep was conducted at Miller Junior High School on Tuesday, May 17, and as a result the school was placed on a modified lockdown, according to a statement from Aberdeen School District.

The lockdown lasted for more than an hour, according to the district.

Aberdeen Police Department personnel and the school district “teamed up” for the sweep, which was to search for marijuana with the use of staff from Clallam Bay and Stafford Creek Corrections Centers. Erik Prange and K9 Ghost — Clallam Bay — and Ben O’Lague and K9 Rocket, and K9 Indy — Stafford Creek — visited every classroom and searched all student backpacks.

Aberdeen Deputy Police Chief Jay Staten said the department wants students to know local law enforcement is serious about drug free schools.

“The Aberdeen Police Department welcomed the opportunity for this follow-up to support our schools in the effort to keep our schools safe,” Staten said.

John Meers, principal at Miller Junior High School, said he and his staff were “grateful” for the assistance from law enforcement in the sweep.

“Our goal is to maintain Miller Junior High School as a safe place for students and staff,” Meers said.

The sweep at Miller Junior High School (MJHS) comes a little less than three weeks since a K-9 sweep at Aberdeen High School April 28. Both were organized with the Aberdeen Police Department.

The Daily World made multiple attempts last week with APD to see if there was a specific reason the sweeps were conducted, and why the high school and junior high school were the chosen sites. But no further information was released.

Superintendent Alicia Henderson said the school district is grateful for its partnership with local law enforcement.

“These operations represent a real time commitment by law enforcement on behalf of our schools,” she said. “We share a commitment to drug-free schools and we know our community supports this endeavor.”