Al Gore's son charged with drug possession

LOS ANGELES: Former vice president Al Gore's son has been charged with possession of illegal drugs following his arrest for driving offences earlier this month, court officials have said.

Albert Gore III, 24, was detained by police in California on July 4 after being caught speeding down a motorway at more than 160 kmph in his Toyota Prius hybrid car.

Police found marijuana and prescription drug in Gore's car after he was stopped.

The Orange Country District Attorney's office said in a statement on Friday that Gore had been charged with two felony counts of possessing a controlled substance and two misdemeanor counts of possessing a drug without a prescription.

He also faces an additional misdemeanor count of marijuana possession as well as a traffic offense for speeding.

The prosecutor's office said if convicted on all charges he could face a maximum of three years andia law Gore may be eligible for a drug diversion program instead of prison. He is currently free on $20,000 bail and faces a court appearance on August 1.

Gore, who lives in Los Angeles, has a history of drug and driving violations.

In 2003, he was charged with marijuana possession in Maryland after police stopped him for driving without headlights on. The following year he entered a substance abuse programme as part of a plea agreement.