Jeremy Giambi cited for marijuana possession

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Oakland designated hitter Jeremy Giambi was cited at McCarran International Airport after security officers found about a half-ounce of marijuana in his bag.

"It happened at 9:30 a.m. Monday during a routine security check," Las Vegas police spokesman Tirso Dominguez told The Associated Press on Thursday.

"While going through the checkpoints, airport personnel found what appeared to be marijuana."

Police cited Giambi, the brother of former Athletics first baseman Jason Giambi, with a misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance and released him, Dominguez said.

A McCarran spokeswoman confirmed Thursday that Giambi was cited while attempting to pass through a security checkpoint.

Giambi was allowed to continue on to his flight to Phoenix, airport unit Lt. Ted Moody said.

"We didn't have him long. We impounded the marijuana, wrote the citation and sent him on his way," Moody told the Las Vegas Sun. "He got a ticket just like anyone else would."

A January court date was set for the 27-year-old slugger.

A spokesman for the Athletics could not be immediately reached for comment and Giambi was unavailable for comment.

A new Nevada law that went into effect Oct. 1 eased penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Formerly a felony, possession of an ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum $600 fine for a first offense -- instead of the old felony provisions of up to four years in prison.

Giambi hit .283 with 12 home runs and 57 RBIs in 124 games for Oakland last season. Jason Giambi signed a $120 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees on Thursday.