HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 28-year-old Wichita man arrested back in January for being in possession of a large quantity of high-grade marijuana here in Hutchinson was bound over for trial Tuesday.
Demarcus Phillips Sr. is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, however, that count was reduced to a misdemeanor.
In a separate case, he’s charged with aggravated failure to appear for failing to appear for a prior court hearing.
The case itself started on Jan. 18 when Reno County Drug Unit detectives observed a vehicle pulling into the back of a residence in the 1300 block of East 3rd. They saw a white male walk up to the driver’s side window and meet with the black male driving. Officers then approached the vehicle and allege that they could smell a strong odor of marijuana. The white male was placed in handcuffs and two black males in the vehicle were also placed in handcuffs. Detectives say behind the driver’s seat was an Olive Garden bag that contained four aluminum pans each containing gallon size zip-close bags of marijuana. They say the bags contained approximately two pounds of what they called the high-grade stuff. They also found three previously rolled marijuana cigarettes in the vehicle. The state believes the marijuana belonged to Phillips.
Phillips has prior convictions for drug offenses in Sedgwick County and a possession with intent to sell conviction out of Saline County.
He’ll be arraigned on the Reno County charges early next month.