University of Alabama student arrested for possession of over 10,000 Xanax pills and 141 grams of marijuana, say police

Police had been monitoring the student for over a month before raiding his home near campus

(Tuscaloosa Police Department via Facebook)

A student has been arrested after police reportedly found him in possession of over 10,000 pills of the anti-anxiety medication, Xanax, as well as 141 grams of marijuana.

Police in the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, said they had been monitoring 22-year-old Ryan Patrick Jones for alleged drug possession for a month before the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force raided the student’s home near campus.

The department confirmed the street value of the drugs was estimated to be at $75,000 (£48,000).

Mr Jones, who is studying at the University of Alabama (UA), was charged with possession of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of marijuana, and one count of selling a controlled substance within three miles of a school.

The student has since been placed in the Tuscaloosa County Jail where his bond was set at $35,000 (£22,400).

A spokesperson for UA told USA Today College the university was aware of the situation and that Mr Jones was referred to the Office of Student Conduct and has been placed on interim suspension.

This isn’t the first time UA students have landed in hot water over drug possession.

In 2013, 61 students were reportedly arrested in a round-up and 183 charges were brought against them including the sale of controlled substances, sale of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

At the time, in a statement, the UA’s president, Judy Bonner, said: “UA has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the sale or distribution of drugs, on or off campus, and we will continue to vigorously enforce that policy.”