DEXTER, Mo. -- Three Dexter High School students have been referred to Juvenile Services after an alleged incident involving illegal narcotics.

According to Mike Davis, chief juvenile officer of the 35th Judicial Circuit, school officials contacted law enforcement Nov. 13 regarding the incident.

Juvenile authorities, along with the Dexter Police Department and school officials, began an investigation that resulted in three male juveniles being detained at the Juvenile Detention Center at Bloomfield, Mo.

After interviewing the suspects and seven other students, the three were charged with distribution of a controlled substance.

The fact the incident is alleged to have taken place on school property makes it a serious charge, Davis said. For adults, the same crime is a Class A felony.

Davis said the students are believed to have distributed hydrocodone.

Davis said they believe this to have been a confined incident over a "couple of days" and not an ongoing problem.

The three subjects remain in detention.