Two students arrested for possession of marijuana

A student living in College Hill Suites was arrested at 12:26 a.m. on Feb. 1 and charged with possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana from his residence hall.

After receiving consent to search the residence, they recovered 65 grams of marijuana, $3,870 in cash and assorted drug paraphernalia, an ECU News Release said. ECU Police Lt. Chris Sutton said a drug call usually goes one of two ways.

“An officer will be patrolling through the dorm and will catch the smell or they may get a call from a third party that isn’t exactly right. They’ve either seen or smelled marijuana.” Lt. Sutton. “In most cases we are notified first or housing is notified first and they let us know.”

Alexander Hinger was charged with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested and placed under a $20,000 secured bond at the Pitt County Detention Center, ECU News reports.

Lt. Sutton said in this case, campus living notified him about some potential drug activity.

He said they usually do not know the history of a suspect selling substances unless it is a unique case. The university has seen a rise in drug cases the past three years. There were 97 in 2010, 168 in 2011 and 186 2012.

Hinger’s roommate Thomas Appleman was also arrested in the case and charged with simple possession of marijuana. Appleman’s bond was $1,000.

Lt. Sutton said Greenville police was involved in the arrest. Usually Greenville Police are not involved in 99 percent of cases, but it depends on who is there. If campus police are there, they may respond first. He said the smell of marijuana is easily detectable and distinct.

“There’s nothing on this planet that smells like burnt marijuana. You can’t mask that odor,” said Sutton.

 

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