United States v. Caraballo-Rodriguez, No. 11-3768 (3d Cir. 2013)
Annotate this CaseRodriguez and Diaz triggered suspicion of the Drug Enforcement Administration by purchasing last-minute one-way airplane tickets from San Juan to Philadelphia, using cash, checking no luggage, and holding no carry-on baggage. They proceeded to the baggage claim after deplaning, where they met Cordero and retrieved suitcases that had distinctive markings. As agents watched, they loaded the cases into one vehicle and got into another. The vehicle containing the suitcases was searched; the cases each contained 12-13 kilograms of cocaine, for a total retail value of $5 million. Despite taking evasive actions, the other vehicle was stopped. Cordero had thrown the memory chip from his phone out of the window before being pulled over. Diaz was carrying $456 in cash, Rodriguez had $33 in cash, and Cordero had $1,173 in cash. Rodriguez and Diaz were charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. 846, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and aiding possession with intent to distribute cocaine 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. 2. Diaz entered a guilty plea and testified against the others. The district court overturned a verdict finding them guilty, stating that the evidence only showed that Rodriguez knew that he was being entrusted with a suitcase which could contain a “wide variety of contraband items.’” The Third Circuit vacated, declining to apply a “strict standard,” as it has in prior cases, and employing “the proper deferential standard.”
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