A seven-month investigation by City of Federal Way police, the Federal Way School District, federal law enforcement agencies and the King County Prosecuting Attorney, ended early today with the arrest of eight juveniles and two young adults charged with illegal drugs and the sale of firearms off campus.

The investigation is ongoing and further arrests may occur.

"We want to send a message loud and clear: this community has made it a priority to provide a safe environment for our citizens and visitors. We aren't going to tolerate illegal activities in our neighborhoods, schools, or anywhere else," said Brian Wilson, Federal Way Police Chief.

Federal Way School District Superintendent Tom Murphy added, "The safety of our students and staff is the highest priority. The vast majority of our students in Federal Way come to school every day because they want to learn. Our job - as parents, teachers and staff is to maintain a safe, civil learning environment."

In cooperation with the Federal Way School District administration, and with the consent of the school principals involved, Federal Way police enrolled two veteran police officers as high school students.

The investigation lasted approximately seven months with undercover police officers in three high schools - Federal Way, Decatur and Todd Beamer.

"In school, the undercover officers signaled an interest to students in an effort to make contact with individuals from whom they could buy illegal drugs," Wilson said.

The arrests are based on the subsequent purchases of drugs and guns off campus by undercover Federal Way officers from those contacts, who are both students and non-students.

"Although the gun purchases were brokered by students, gun sales were carefully orchestrated to take place off school property", said Special Agent in Charge Kelvin N. Crenshaw of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The drugs purchased by the undercover police officers included Marijuana, Ecstasy, Cocaine and Oxycodone. The firearms purchased included various pistols and rifles.

"Several of these cases involve serious felonies and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Chief Criminal Deputy Mark Larson of the King County Prosecutor's Office. "Drugs and firearms are a problem that is pervasive throughout King County. I commend the community leaders of Federal Way for stepping up and taking action."