The Associated Press

PHOENIX - Damon Stoudamire was arrested on marijuana charges after allegedly trying to pass through an airport metal detector with almost 1 1/2 ounces of the drug wrapped in aluminum foil.

The Portland Trail Blazers' guard was stopped at the Tucson airport Thursday as he prepared to board a flight to New Orleans.

The team suspended Stoudamire and fined him $250,000.

He was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors. Police said he was carrying almost 40 grams of marijuana.

After Stoudamire set off the metal detector, he placed the drug and rolling papers into a plastic security bin, police said. Security officials then summoned police.

Stoudamire told officers the drug was marijuana and it was his. He was released and is to appear in court July 25. He could face up to $2,500 in fines and unsupervised probation on each charge.

MAGIC: Orlando guard Darrell Armstrong was arrested early Monday after being accused of fighting with a female police officer outside a nightclub.

Armstrong was charged with battery on a law-enforcement officer and resisting arrest without violence. He was released after posting $1,000 bond. Armstrong tried to enter a full taxi outside a club and, upset over being denied a ride, he stood in traffic.

When Officer Teresa Joyce tried to get him out of the street, he scuffled with her and other officers before being arrested. .

SPREWELL LAWSUIT: A New York State Supreme Court judge gave New York Knicks guard Latrell Sprewell the green light to proceed with his $40 million libel suit against the New York Post and Post staff writer Marc Berman. Sprewell is suing the newspaper for publishing four reports that claimed Sprewell fractured his right pinkie finger - an injury that kept him out of the first eight games of the NBA season - during an altercation on his boat.