On Wednesday, DeKalb County school police arrested two students after weapons were found at Columbia and Cedar Grove high schools, authorities said.

RELATED: Students charged after guns discovered at 2 DeKalb high schools

The one at Columbia was found during a “search and safety drill” conducted by school resource officers. The unannounced drills are conducted occasionally, according to the school system.

The weapon at Cedar Grove was discovered when an employee put something into a student’s backpack.

Hours before sending out a statement about the latest gun arrest, district officials announced a new “Weapons Deterrent Plan” to keep students and staff members safe.

“As a continuing proactive effort, random searches will be conducted on our high school campuses throughout the year,” the school system said Thursday. “The searches are intended to serve as a deterrent to weapons, illegal substances and other contraband ...”

Last week, two Columbia students were arrested after administrators discovered one of them had a loaded handgun on campus.

RELATED: 2 students charged after loaded gun found at DeKalb high school

In August, Stephenson High was placed on lockdown after a student told administrators she saw someone with a gun. Police recovered the weapon and a 14-year-old was charged, district officials said.

MORE: Gun report puts DeKalb high school on lockdown; teen arrested

And earlier this month, Lithonia High was also placed on lockdown after one student pulled a gun on another.

ALSO: Student in custody after pulling gun on another student at Lithonia High

In each case, the students were charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds.

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