Controlled substances found in powder brought to McMinn County School

White powdery substance brought in by a student at EK Baker School / Sheriff Joe Guy

MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A student at EK Baker School brought a white powder to campus that later tested positive for several controlled substances.

Around 9:50 a.m., School Resource Deputy Charles Shelton was alerted that students were drinking an unusual liquid from a sports drink bottle.

The substance appeared to be mixed from a white powder found in a Ziploc bag.

Deputy Shelton and the assistant principal secured the items and launched an immediate investigation.

Initial field tests did not detect illicit substances, but further testing — assisted by the 5th District Drug Task Force — revealed the presence of dangerous controlled substances, including:

• Cocaine
• Xylazine
• Methamphetamine

Authorities believe that 2–3 students may have ingested the mixture.

School officials closely monitored the involved students and notified their parents, urging them to seek immediate medical evaluation due to the extreme danger of xylazine, which is not approved for human use.

No illnesses have been reported so far, but the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation crime lab will conduct further analysis to confirm the composition of the powder.

According to Sheriff Joe Guy, a search and investigation at the students residence indicated that the substance may in fact be a powdered laxative, but may have been placed in a bag that was previously used for the xylazine and other drugs.

Guy also said subsequent testing by the TBI will help make a correct determination.