Giambi

LAS VEGAS -- Oakland Athletics designated hitter Jeremy Giambi was cited at McCarran International Airport after security officers said they 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," he said.

Police cited Giambi, who was traveling to Phoenix, with a misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance.

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

"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 McCarran spokeswoman confirmed Thursday that Giambi was cited while attempting to pass through a security checkpoint, but said the incident was turned over to police.

A January court date was set for the 27-year-old slugger who owns a home in Henderson.

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

Giambi signed on with the Athletics in spring 2000.

He played for Oakland with his older brother, Jason Giambi, who signed a $120 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees on Thursday.

Jeremy Giambi made his big-league debut with the Kansas City Royals in 1998.

This past season, he played first base, outfield and designated hitter for Oakland as he hit .283, with 12 home runs and 57 RBI, in 124 games.

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.