Citrus Heights police arrest minor for selling drug known as ‘paint,’ await lab results

The Citrus Heights Police Department arrested a minor who was selling a drug known as ‘paint’ after reports were made at a local school.

In a news release, the Police Department said that the school informed officers on Tuesday of a student who sold ‘paint’ — an unknown psychoactive substance — to several others.

Earlier this week, Mesa Verde High School officials shared concerns with parents regarding the substance known as ‘paint.’ Principal Colin Bross described the drug in an email previously obtained by The Sacramento Bee as “a pill with psychedelic effects and is known to be highly addictive.”

By Friday, Citrus Heights police said they had made an arrest, although the department did not release the suspect’s name due to their age. The drug was seized by officers and has been sent to a crime lab for analysis.

“Illicit drugs are frequently rebranded and remarketed under different names and in different forms which can complicate their identification,” officers said. “CHPD would like to encourage parents to talk with their children about the dangers of handling or ingesting unknown substances. With the dangers that some illicit substances pose, parents are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency before attempting to handle them.”