Deputies in Pahrump say a trail of disposable THC vape pens led straight to a pair of twin brothers after a Pahrump Valley High School student was found semi-conscious on campus last week. The juvenile was taken to Desert View Hospital for treatment, and investigators say a vape pen handed over by the student's younger brother later tested positive for THC. A follow-up search of vehicles and a home turned up dozens of disposable cartridges and suspected methamphetamine, and authorities say multiple arrests followed.
Deputies with the Nye County Sheriff’s Office Division of School Services and Patrol were called to Pahrump Valley High School on April 27 after staff reported a juvenile male who appeared semi-conscious, according to KOLO. The student was transported to Desert View Hospital for medical care, the outlet reports.
Investigators told FOX5 Las Vegas that the student's younger brother turned over a vape pen that tested positive for THC and pointed officers to where he got it. That information led deputies to contact twin brothers Mark Young and Daniel Young. Deputies say they found identical disposable pens in the brothers’ vehicle along with about nine grams of suspected methamphetamine, and a later search warrant at their residence turned up more THC pens and roughly 2.6 grams of suspected meth. A woman identified as Valerie Rodgers was arrested at the home.
How Deputies Say the Vape Trail Led to the Twins
According to KOLO, the younger brother told deputies he had allowed his older brother to use the vape pen, then named who had supplied it. Those details, investigators say, provided the leads that took officers to the twins and their vehicle. Deputies then obtained a search warrant for the residence and seized evidence they believe connects the disposable cartridges to distribution on campus.
What Was Seized and What Investigators Say
The Nye County Sheriff’s Office says the total haul added up to about 11.68 grams of suspected methamphetamine and roughly 84 grams of THC, along with multiple items of drug paraphernalia, as reported by FOX5 Las Vegas. The sheriff's office has not released the juvenile's name or the suspects' ages and has not specified formal charges, saying the case remains under investigation.
Why Vape Pens Worry Public-Health Officials
Federal law enforcement and health agencies have warned that illicit or unregulated cartridges can contain contaminants, and in some cases opioids such as fentanyl, creating unpredictable overdose risks. The DEA has published bulletins noting fentanyl has been detected in vape devices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Youth Tobacco Survey also shows that while youth e-cigarette use fell in 2024, hundreds of thousands of middle- and high-school students still use e-cigarettes, keeping schools and parents on alert.
What Parents and Schools Can Do
School officials typically urge students, staff, and families to report suspicious activity and to turn suspected devices over to administrators or law enforcement rather than handling them directly. If you believe someone is overdosing, call 911 immediately or contact the national Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Legal Implications
Because the investigation involves alleged distribution to minors on school grounds, adults accused of supplying drugs to students could face serious criminal charges, while juveniles would be routed through juvenile processes. Prosecutors will review the evidence and decide on any filings, and the sheriff's office says it is continuing to investigate.
