Florida Teacher Caught in Drug Ring

(Holmes County, Florida) A 47-year-old teacher at Bonifay Elementary School, Sheila Long, has been arrested by Holmes County Sheriff's deputies in a bust of an extensive local methamphetamine ring.

The ring was allegedly supplied by an illegal alien named Jose Lopez who has ties to the Mexican drug cartels.

People say they aren’t surprised people are doing meth, but they are surprised about how they’re getting it.

“This is such a small town; I would never think that people from Mexico would be involved over here in a drug ring,” said Samantha Garner.

This case is also different because of the type of crsytal meth being used. Lopez was reportedly trafficking meth ice.

“It kind of looks like ice chips. It comes from Mexican drug cartels. It usually comes from Mexico but the major hub city is Atlanta,” said Sgt. John Tate of the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office.

It’s different than the homemade meth we see made locally, it’s much darker.

Sgt. Tate says homemade was more popular a few years ago but, “here recently it’s been ice that’s been the most popular thing because it’s more readily available,” said Sgt. Tate.

According to Superintendent Gary Galloway of Holmes District Schools, Sheila Long has not been contracted to teach for the 2009-2010 school year.