
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, August 12, 1994                   TAG: 9408120077
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                 LENGTH: Short

BLACKSBURG POLICE SEIZE A POUND OF MARIJUANA

A Blacksburg man has been charged with possessing marijuana with intent to distribute it after police found about one pound of marijuana in a backpack last week.

Police charged Jason C. Davidson, 21, of the 800 block of Ascot Lane, after searching a car in which he was traveling. Police, with a warrant, were about to search his apartment late on Aug. 5 when they saw Davidson leaving in a car.

A drug-sniffing dog used by the Montgomery County Drug Task Force indicated it smelled something in the car, police said. Officers found the marijuana inside the car, in a backpack identified as belonging to Davidson.

Police have filed no charges based on the items confiscated at Davidson's apartment. According to court records, officers seized $650, small amounts of what appeared to be marijuana, a marijuana plant, homemade smoking devices, plastic bags and other paraphernalia often associated with the drug trade.

Police obtained the search warrant after an undercover officer said he purchased marijuana from a man he later identified from a photo as being Davidson. The officer said he saw additional marijuana packaged for sale inside the apartment.

A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 6 in the Blacksburg division of Montgomery County General District Court. Davidson is free on bond.

by CNB