REPORT: AIRPORT GUARD FINDS MARIJUANA IN BAG OF WHITNEY HOUSTON

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) Airport security guards unsuccessfully tried to
detain pop star Whitney Houston after they allegedly found 15.2 grams of
marijuana in a bag she was carrying, a newspaper reported.

The Tribune-Herald of Hilo, Hawaii, said an airport security officer at
Keahole-Kona International Airport found the marijuana Tuesday after he
asked the Grammy-winning singer to open the bag for inspection.

The bag was seized and Houston walked away when security officers tried to
detain her, said Police Lt. Robert Hickcox. Houston's United Airlines flight
to San Francisco departed 45 minutes before police arrived, Hickcox said.

Airport security officers, employed by a private company, can only arrest
passengers for crimes related to airport security. The firm, Wackenhut of
Hawaii, declined comment to The Associated Press on Sunday night.

An answering service for Houston's spokeswoman, Carol Stone, said Stone was
out of the country and could not immediately be reached for comment. A
message left with her answering service was not immediately returned on
Sunday night to The Associated Press.

According to the newspaper, the Hawaii County Police Department's daily
police bulletin noted 15.2 grams of marijuana was recovered at the airport
at 2:28 p.m. on Tuesday, but did not identify a suspect.

Police planned to refer the case to the Hawaii County prosecutor's office, a
process that could take a month, Hickcox told the newspaper for its Sunday
edition.

Police declined to comment to the AP late Sunday.

Officials at Arista Records, Houston's record label, could not be reached
for comment in either Los Angeles or New York on Sunday night.

Possession of 15 grams of marijuana could lead to a drug charge of promotion
of a detrimental drug, Hickcox said. The petty misdemeanor is punishable by
up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Houston has sold millions of records is one of the world's most successful
recording artists. She has also starred in such films as ''The Bodyguard''
and ''Waiting to Exhale.''

She was nominated this month for four Grammy awards for her latest album,
''My Love is Your Love.''