By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Salisbury teenager was charged with drug possessionTuesday after a police officer found him and others dancing atop the entrance sign to the West End neighborhood.

The teen had been charged last week with marijuana possession.

The Salisbury Police Department charged Chancellor Najee Rankin, 17, with felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled substance Schedule VI; felony possession controlled substance Schedule VI; misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia; and, having no operator’s license.

An officer on patrol in the West End area saw a group of people dancing on the entrance sign. The group was reportedly filming a video.

The officer saw a 2003 Buick LeSabre leaving the area and stopped the vehicle at Kelsey Scott Park. Rankin, who was driving the vehicle, told the officer the car didn’t belong to him and he did not have a valid driver’s license.

A report said the officer could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car while speaking with Rankin. He asked Rankin and the passengers to get out of the vehicle and saw marijuana residue on Rankin’s shirt, a report said.

Rankin admitted that there was marijuana under his seat. The officer also found digital scales and $62 in cash. About 83 grams of marijuana was seized.

Police charged Rankin on March 20 with possession with intent to manufacture a controlled substance Schedule VI. Officers were called to the intersection of South Ellis and South Caldwell streets. They searched a vehicle and found 22 grams of marijuana in the passenger area of the car and a digital scale.

Rankin remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $25,000 secured bond.