Former WCU Student Charged For Possessing 40 Pounds Of Drug-Laced Candy in Campus Apartment

Robert Callis-Keiser, a 25-year-old former West Chester University student, has been charged of possessing marijuana-laced candies in his campus apartment.

The Chester County District Attorney's Office said that Callis-Keiser of Johnstown, Pa., was arrested Thursday but was released on $25,000 bail. He has been slapped with a series of drug charges, including 'possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute.'

Callis-Keiser's preliminary hearing is scheduled Jan. 22.

Charles Gaza, the district attorney's chief of staff, said that the arrest was delayed due to pending lab results. Fast tests, usually used in such cases, were not successful because the color of the food dye in the candy interfered with the color-change indicator (show the presence of drugs).

"This type of drug-laced candy is fairly common on the West Coast . . . but it is a new trend in this area," Gaza said. "Chester County law enforcement will be on the lookout for other dealers. Mixing drugs with candy presents a unique danger to children," Philly.com reports.

Officials state that although they found the candies around Halloween time, it was not meant for kids. They were just meant to be sold at a concert to attract future prospective buyers.

Callis -Keiser was in his car when the police found him. The vehicle smelled of marijuana. The officer asked him to get out of the car and asked to search his apartment, according to a police affidavit

Large quantities of candies tainted with THC (the active chemical ingredient in marijuana) were discovered under Callis-Keiser's bed, wrapped in individual bags. About 400 pieces were found in the closet. Overall, 40 pounds of candy, ranging from various colors and sizes were confiscated from his apartment, according to the affidavit.

Gaza said that besides the candies, the police officials also found a bottle of Everclear with liquid THC.

The university officials said that this was the biggest drug-racket in recent times and has therefore removed Callis-Keiser from the school.