New Orleans Saints player David Onyemata will avoid being prosecuted on the misdemeanor marijuana possession citation he received earlier this year after completing a pretrial diversion program, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.

While the National Football League recently suspended Onyemata for the Saints’ regular-season opener as a result of the citation, finishing the program allows him to put the legal case behind him as he prepares for training camp later this month.

It was not clear how long the program lasted. But Onyemata completed it May 29, and the charge against him was refused that same day, DA’s Office spokesman Paul Purpura said.

Exact details of what Onyemata was required to do weren’t available, but such programs typically involve undergoing counseling and passing drug tests.

According to authorities, a package seized by U.S. Customs & Border Protection personnel in Buffalo, New York, on Jan. 28 prompted the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office to raid Onyemata’s apartment in the 5300 block of Citrus Boulevard in Elmwood a day later.

Saints DT David Onyemata cited for illegal marijuana possession at Elmwood apartment New Orleans Saints player David Onyemata was issued a misdemeanor citation last week after he was accused of having marijuana at his apartment…

Deputies ended up seizing nearly three ounces of marijuana, cannabis oil, marijuana edibles and hemp powder during a search of the 6-foot-4, 300-pound defensive tackle’s place. Investigators believed the items were for Onyemata’s personal use, and he was cooperative during the search, the Sheriff’s Office said.

In Louisiana, it is illegal to possess marijuana except in certain circumstances that the Sheriff’s Office said did not apply in Onyemata’s case. He received a summons to appear in court at a later date.

He completed the diversion program without prosecutors ever charging him in connection with the summons.

Onyemata is entering the final year of his rookie contract after rotating regularly onto the Saints’ defensive line during the 2018 campaign. He registered 4.5 sacks and 35 tackles while appearing in all 16 regular-season games and two postseason contests, including the Saints’ controversial defeat in the NFC title game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Onyemata – whose given first name is Ebuka – did not begin playing football until he wanted something to do between classes while attending the University of Manitoba in Canada. The Saints selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft after becoming intrigued by his potential.