On the eve of national Drug Free Awareness Week, DeKalb Police reported the drug-related arrest of Joseph Casella, 27, of 829 Normal Road.

Casella was arrested for unlawful possession of more than 500 grams of cannabis with intent to deliver, said Detective Bill Feithen of the DeKalb Police Department.

Casella was arrested at his home on Sept. 30 after receiving cannabis from an undercover policeman. Casella was held at the DeKalb County Jail until Oct. 3 when he posted $300 of his $3,000 bond. He will be tried at the DeKalb County Courthouse on Nov. 3, Feithen said Friday at a press conference in the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St.

Police were notified of the shipment from a private postal carrier in Phoenix, Ariz., where the shipment originated.

“The commercial carrier detected a strong odor from the box, and they notified the Phoenix Police Department,” Feithen said.

Police seized two pounds of cannabis with a street value of at least $4,200, Feithen said. Possession of more than 500 grams of marijuana is a Class III felony punishable with two to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine. Intent to deliver is a Class II felony punishable with three to seven years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Feithen said he would not identify the private postal company because he had not cleared it with them. He said the carrier cooperated fully with the police department.

Feithen said the arrest was not reported earlier because of “other aspects of the case” which might have led to further arrests.

The Phoenix police are investigating the origination of the cannabis, Feithen said.

Today is the start of Drug Free Awareness Week and National Red Ribbon Week. Feithen said DeKalb Police are encouraging people to display red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance to the use of illegal drugs.

A limited number of red ribbons which read, “The Choice For Me, DRUG FREE!” are available from the DeKalb Police Department, Feithen said.

Drug use in DeKalb is affecting younger and younger children, Feithen said. The problem “is definitely out there, and it’s getting worse.”