Inuvik (Feb 17/03) - A 19-year-old man is currently facing drug charges after he and another man were arrested outside Samuel Hearne secondary school before Christmas.

Police seized several marijuana cigarettes during the arrest.

Desmond Norman was charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking on Dec. 17. He first appeared in Inuvik territorial court on Feb. 10.

Norman has been ordered to stay away from Samuel Hearne and Sir Alexander Mackenzie schools until the matter is dealt with in court. His next appearance is scheduled for Feb. 24 at 2:30 p.m. in Inuvik to enter a plea.

Crown prosecutor Jonathan Burke indicated another individual, 19-year-old Jerry Christopher Rogers, was also arrested and charged with possession of marijuana at the same time of Norman's arrest.

Rogers pleaded guilty to the charge, as well as to multiple assault and mischief charges in Justice of the Peace Court on Dec. 29. He was sentenced to a total of 17 months in jail for the six charges against him.