Where there’s smoke … police will get warrants

University of Arizona Police Department officers responded to the Pueblo de la Cienega Residence Hall on Nov. 15 at 2:18 a.m. in reference to a report of the odor of marijuana coming from one of the rooms.

Upon arrival, officers met with a resident assistant who led them to a room on the first floor. The RA stated that while doing hourly rounds, the smell of burnt marijuana was detected. Officers knocked on the door and a man answered. He identified himself with an Illinois driver’s license and told police he was a resident of the room.

Officers asked the man if they could enter the room and he refused. He then asked officers why they were there and they responded that they could smell the strong odor of marijuana and it seemed to be coming from his room. The man stated that his girlfriend was inside and when she had arrived earlier she mentioned the smell as well, but he claimed to not know why the room smelled of marijuana. Officers asked the man if he had any marijuana in the room and he stated that he did not. Officers asked the man if he would consent to a search of the room and he stated that he would not.

Officers asked the man and his girlfriend to exit the room and sit outside. Officers requested a telephonic search warrant, which was granted at 4:10 a.m. A search of the room revealed a bag of marijuana and several items of paraphernalia, including rolling papers, lighters and a “blunt” cigar. The man was cited on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on the scene and the incident has been referred to the Dean of Students Office