A North Liberty man was arrested after being a passenger of a car that allegedly contained marijuana.

Jaleel Applegate, 18, was accused March 1 with a controlled-substance violation.

North Liberty police officers reportedly stopped the vehicle for multiple infractions. The vehicle smelled strongly of burnt marijuana and after the occupants were out and the vehicle was vented, it smelled of raw marijuana, the police complaint said.

During a search, police officials allegedly located a bag of marijuana in the back seat where Applegate had been sitting. The bag reportedly contained nine individually packaged bags of marijuana that weighed about 1 to 2 grams each. Applegate denied possessing the marijuana.

However, another passenger of the vehicle stated Applegate brought the marijuana with him.

A controlled-substance violation is a Class-D felony.

— by Rebecca Morin