Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith has been cited for possession of marijuana or synthetic marijuana and speeding, according to documents filed in Wisconsin Circuit Court in Racine via ESPN.
The incident took place on Sept. 29 and a hearing date is scheduled Thursday. His appearance is not mandatory and they are not criminal charges.
According to the report, Smith, along with teammates Rashan Gary and Kingsley Keke, were returning from Chicago when the incident occurred. They were stopped going 81 mph in a 60 mph zone. The officer on the spot smelled the odor of marijuana and told the men to get out of the vehicle. They were briefly detained.
None of the three Packers were high and none had marijuana on their person, via the report. However, when the car was searched, the officer found three hollowed-out cigars filled with marijuana and a vape device. Smith took responsibility as the driver. After writing a citing, the three were released by the officer.
“The Packers are aware of the matter involving Za’Darius Smith,” the team said in a statement. “We will refrain from making any further comment as it is a legal matter.”
Smith signed a four-year, $66 million deal with the team in the offseason. As of the mid-way point of the season, he leads Green Bay in sacks (eight). Gary is the team’s first-round selection while Keke was a fifth-rounder in the latest draft. The NFL will likely look into the matter; however, the league has not yet issued a statement.
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