Iowa student faces drug charges after searches

A University of Iowa student faces criminal charges after police seizing nearly two pounds of marijuana from a backpack and from the student's home.

According to criminal complaints, Iowa City police were conducting an investigation at 1002 E. College Street, No. 3, and made contact with a resident, George James Rakich, 21, a UI student.

Officers met Rakich, originally from New Lenox, Ill., when he was leaving his home carrying a backpack. Police said Rakich appeared extremely nervous while talking to them.

Police said Rakich refused consent to search the backpack, but allegedly admitted he had approximately three-quarters of a pound of marijuana in the bag. A drug detection dog alerted officers to the odor of drugs in the backpack.

Officers were able to obtain a search warrant and found the marijuana Rakich allegedly told them was in the bag. A search of the home allegedly turned up another pound of marijuana and additional items, such as scales and packaging materials, the criminal complaint said.

Rakich was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, a drug tax stamp violation, and keeping a drug house.

He was being held in the Johnson County Jail Wednesday on a $27,500 cash only bond.