Eight Western Maryland College students were arrested on marijuana charges in two unrelated raids at a campus dormitory Thursday and early Friday, Westminster police said.

City police officers found eight small bags of marijuana in a dormitory room at Rouzer Hall after responding to a report Thursday night that marijuana was being smoked and sold there, authorities said.

Arrested were William J. Convery, 21, of Collingswood, N.J., Brian D. Maxfield, 18, of Beltsville, and Thomas E. Brown, 18, of Laurel. Each was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, court records show.

In addition, Convery was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Convery was ordered held on $5,000 bail at the Carroll County Detention Center, and the others were released on personal recognizance, court records show.

In the second incident at 1: 30 a.m. Friday, officers went to another room in Rouzer Hall. The officers said they smelled marijuana smoke, entered the room and arrested five men.

Charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were John J. Griffith, 18, of North Plainfield, N.J.; Patrick D. Muscarella, 19, of Pennfield, N.Y.; Jonathan D. Bussard, 19, of Derwood, Montgomery County; Kevin C. Cooke, 21, of Parkville; and Michael Blumberg, 20, of Owings Mills.

Each was released on personal recognizance, court records show.

Pub Date: 2/21/99