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Police: Bus driver set to take kids on field trip was high on marijuana

CHELMSFORD, Mass. — A bus driver was arrested Tuesday for allegedly driving a bus while high on marijuana.

Tuesday morning, officers were called to Chelmsford High School after students reported smelling a strange odor on the school bus they had boarded to go on a field trip. The students notified a teacher, who contacted the Chelmsford Police Department. The students were taken off the bus.

“There was a weed smell on the bus,” high school student Jaimey Ross said.

According to police, officers quickly determined that the bus driver, 63-year-old Ali Mahfuz, was high on marijuana. Mahfuz was charged with operating under the influence of drugs, operating negligently as to endanger and reckless endangerment.

“He was extremely unsteady on is feed, bloodshot eyes, unable to communicate properly while speaking, very long drawn out comment. There was some additional field sobriety done after the subject was brought to the police station and he continued to be noticeably impaired,” Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney said.

Prior to arriving at Chelmsford High School, Mahfuz had finished driving a route for Greater Lowell Technical High School in Tyngsborough.

Mahfuz is employed by North Reading Transportation Inc. The company is cooperating with the investigation.

“It's sad to think that we are in English class, studying fairytales, going to watch ‘Beauty and the Beast’, trying to write a nice paper and get a good grade, finish off senior year,” one student said.

The Chelmsford police chief praised the students for speaking up.

"I cannot overstate the role played by the students today in ensuring their safety on the roads," Spinney said. "They knew something was not right, and they spoke up right away, alerting school administrators. I commend these students for their role in stopping a dangerous situation from unfolding."

Mahfuz is scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in Lowell District Court.