The teen, who has not been identified, had six lieutenants, selling as much as $20,000 of high-grade homegrown marijuana every month to high school students in Mason, Ohio.
Investigators said those who participated in the sophisticated operation were careful not to do business on school grounds where they knew it was riskier.
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Kingpin: the unidentified teen, pictured here, has been described as the leader of a major marijuana ring that brought in about $20,000 per month
And all this before he graduated.
The 17-year-old high school student was the center of a high-grade marijuana distribution ring that operated in two Cincinnati-area schools, the Warren County Drug Task Force said Monday.
A yearlong investigation culminated in the arrest of the teen and seven adults, as well as the seizure of more than 600 hydroponically grown marijuana plants with a street value of around $3million, the agency said.
The student, who was not named by the sheriff's office, will face charges in juvenile court.
Stash: The yearlong probe resulted in the arrest of the teen and seven adults, as well as the seizure of more than 600 hydroponically grown marijuana plants with a street value of around $3million
He had $6,000 in cash in his bedroom closet when officers arrived with a search warrant, sheriff's officials said.
Drug Task Force Commander John Burke said: 'He was selling to six other people who were kind of like his lieutenants.'
'Then they were distributing the drugs to other high school students.'
The juvenile told authorities he was not selling marijuana or conducting his business on the grounds of the high school, according to Hamilton County Prosecutor David Fornshell.
History: Hamilton County Prosecutor David Fornshell, pictured, says the teen, whom he described as highly intelligent, had been dealing drugs since he was at least 15
'There were strict orders not to sell at [the school] because you would get caught and the punishment would be severe,' Fornshell said at a news conference.
He said the 17-year-old, whom he described as highly intelligent, had been dealing drugs since he was at least 15.
Authorities told ABC News that the boy's own mother had no idea about the major drug operation that her son was involved in.
Through him, undercover investigators were able to trace the supply of drugs to three different individuals.
The not-so-magnificent seven: A total of seven adults, as well as their alleged teen kingpin, were arrested in Mason, Ohio
Busted: The teen had $6,000 in cash in his bedroom closet when officers arrived at his Ohio with a search warrant, officials said
Fornshell described the teen as seeming 'like someone who'd be in a church youth group or honour program.'
'He clearly had a high level of intelligence, but it was very misguided,' Fornshell said.
He and the students who worked for him supplied Mason and nearby King high schools, Burke said. Other students who allegedly worked under the teen may eventually be charged also.
The probe netted suspects who allegedly were growing high-grade hydroponic marijuana out of houses in Norwood and Hamilton and a furniture warehouse in Blue Ash, all in the Cincinnati area.
The pot sold for $5,000 a pound, Burke said.
Probe: The arrests were the result of a year-long investigation in to the massive marijuana operation
The adults indicted range in age from 20 to 58. All face multiple charges including possessing, cultivating and trafficking in marijuana.
They were indicted Friday and were still being rounded up Monday, Burke said.
'This is a unique situation where we've been able to start at one level and move up the ladder to the source,' Burke said. 'The case is made even more egregious because it involved juveniles.'
Mason City School Superintendent Gail Kist-Kline said school officials combat drug activity by routinely conducting surprise sweeps, providing programs on drug use and abuse for students and employing a school resource officer.
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