Detectives arrested a Collier County Public Schools teacher on fentanyl and cocaine possession charges after co-workers discovered narcotics in his classroom at Lely High School on Thursday, April 7.
They took Christopher D. Toukonen, 44, into custody and booked him into the Collier County jail on the felony charges after they recovered a mixture of fentanyl and cocaine from his backpack.
He is also charged with possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
“Thanks to the swift actions of school staff and our deputies and detectives, this situation was addressed immediately,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “I commend everyone involved for their handling of this situation.”
School administrators took immediate action after being notified of suspected narcotics use by Toukonen while he was alone in the classroom. No students were present. During a search of his backpack, school staff found the narcotics and contacted the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
Youth Relations Bureau deputies and Vice and Narcotics Bureau detectives responded immediately, investigated and interviewed Toukonen.
Detectives executed a search warrant at Toukonen’s classroom and his vehicle parked on the school campus and did not turn up any additional narcotics.
The investigation continues.
Chad Oliver, chief communication officer for Collier County Public Schools, did not immediately return voicemails or emails left for comment.
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Detectives find drugs in Lely High School classroom, arrest teacher
Reporting by Stacey Henson and Tayeba Hussein, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
