If a drug sniffing dog alerts officers to a gym bag containing a large quantity of cocaine and marijuana, what crime could the owner be charged with?

When a drug-sniffing dog indicates the presence of illegal substances such as cocaine and marijuana, the owner of the gym bag could most accurately be charged with possession of a controlled substance for sale. This choice reflects the significant amount of drugs involved, suggesting intent to distribute rather than merely possess for personal use.

Possession of a controlled substance typically relates to having drugs for personal use, which may not apply if the quantity found is indicative of dealing. The large quantity implies that the owner might not just possess the drugs but intend to sell them, thereby warranting the "for sale" specification.

Transportation of a controlled substance would apply if the individual were moving drugs from one place to another, but the alert on the gym bag primarily indicates possession. Manufacturing would entail producing the drugs, which is not applicable in this case. Hence, the context of a large amount of drugs combined with other circumstantial evidence usually leads to charges reflecting the intent to distribute, which is why possession for sale is the most fitting charge in this scenario.