Charges dropped against Obama's brother

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Charges against George Obama, the half-brother to U.S. President Barack Obama, were dropped after he was arrested in a drug raid, police in Kenya said.

Police said George Obama was arrested during a weekend drug raid in a Nairobi slum with people who were in possession of marijuana, CNN reported.

"Being found with people who are in possession of cannabis is a petty offense," police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said.

Police originally told CNN George Obama was arrested Saturday for possession of marijuana and resisting arrest, which can carry a jail sentence of up to a year or fines.

"Police in Kenya do not look at criminals in light of associations with relatives," Kiraithe said.

The two Obamas barely know each other, though they have met. George Obama was one of the few close relatives to Barack Obama who did not attend the inauguration in Washington. The men share the same Kenyan father.