MOORHEAD — A Moorhead middle school student arrested Thursday, Dec. 11, allegedly brought 1,500 pills that could contain fentanyl to Horizon Middle School.

During a press conference Friday, the Moorhead Police Department shared further information on the student arrested at Horizon Middle School on suspicion of possessing drugs on school property. Police Chief Chris Helmick said a 13-year-old male student was arrested Thursday for first-degree possession of a controlled substance. He is being held at the juvenile detention center.

“I think we can all agree that this type of criminal activity in our schools is unacceptable, and there are many unanswered questions as to how this could happen,” Helmick said.

He said the student was arrested after another student reported to Horizon Middle School staff that he had a large quantity of blue pills. School staff worked with the school resource officer to locate and detain the student suspected of possessing the pills.

Through field testing, detectives from the Moorhead police narcotics unit determined the pills could contain fentanyl. Further lab testing will be required to confirm if the pills contain fentanyl, Helmick said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates