The University of Sussex announced this afternoon it had suspended a student filmed selling the recently-banned drug mephedrone to an undercover BBC reporter.
A BBC South East Today reporter bought two grams of the drug for £55 from a dealer on the Falmer campus – and went on to suggest he had sold almost £1,500 worth of the drug, which he knew was illegal, in a week.
Today, the University said it had “immediately acted” to suspend the student, pending police investigations and its own disciplinary processes.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, said: “The University does not tolerate drug-dealing or illegal drug-use on campus. We took swift action in relation to this student as soon as we were made aware of the situation.
“We have asked the BBC to provide the information they have gathered so that we can look at this in conjunction with the police. The issue of criminal responsibility is rightly one for the police. But, once any police action is completed, we would then use our own disciplinary processes to take whatever additional action is appropriate.”
He added: “We generally have a very safe campus. There is no evidence that drugs are any greater problem for Sussex than elsewhere in the UK.
“We take a zero-tolerance approach to drug-dealing and will continue to ensure that our students are fully aware of this.
“This incident will clearly lead to increased vigilance regarding illegal drug activity on campus.
“We are also working very closely with the police to improve liaison and the exchange of information in any criminal matters, including in relation to drugs and drug-dealing.”
