Document: 541 U.S. 149 UNITED STATESv.FLORES-MONTANO No. 02-1794. Supreme Court of United States. Argued February 25, 2004. Decided March 30, At the international border in southern California, customs officials seized 37 kilograms marijuana from respondent's gas tank by removing and disassembling tank. After respondent was indicted on federal drug charges, he moved to suppress drugs recovered tank, relying a Ninth Circuit panel decision holding that tank's removal requires reasonable suspicion under Fourth Amendment. The District granted motion, summarily affirmed. Held: search did not require suspicion. In relied below, language States v. Montoya de Hernandez, 473 U. S. 531, 538, used "routine" as descriptive term discussing searches. took "routine," fashioned new balancing test, extended it vehicle But reasons might support requirement case highly intrusive searches persons simply do carry over vehicles. Complex tests determine what is search, opposed more "intrusive" person, have no place Government's interest preventing entry unwanted effects at its zenith border. Ramsey, 431 606, 616. Congress has always Executive plenary authority conduct routine seizures border, without probable cause or warrant, order regulate collection duties prevent introduction contraband into this country. S., 537. Respondent's assertion privacy his fuel suspicionless disassembly an invasion privacy, rejected, expectation less than interior, id., long recognized automobiles seeking country may be searched, see Carroll States, 267 132, 154. And while Amendment "protects property well privacy," Soldal Cook County, 506 56, 62, interference with motorist's possessory justified paramount protecting Thus, inspections includes remove, disassemble, reassemble vehicle's Pp. 152-156. Reversed remanded. REHNQUIST, C. J., delivered opinion for unanimous Court. BREYER, filed concurring opinion, post, p. 156. CERTIORARI TO THE STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR NINTH CIRCUIT. Lisa Blatt argued With her briefs were Solicitor General Olson, Assistant Attorney Wray, Deputy Dreeben, Daniel Goodman, Alfonso Robles. Steven F. Hubachek, appointment Court, 540 1043, respondent. him brief Vincent J. Brunkow John Lemon.* CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST 1 Customs — little 81 pounds Manuel Flores-Montano's Appeals Circuit, earlier divided court, Molina-Tarazon, 279 3d 709 (2002), held forbade absent 02-50306, 2003 WL 22410705 (Mar. 14, 2003). We hold question 2 Respondent, driving 1987 Ford Taurus station wagon, attempted enter Otay Mesa Port Entry California. A inspector conducted inspection requested leave vehicle. then taken secondary station. 3 station, second inspected tapping it, noted sounded solid. Subsequently, mechanic contract come remove Within 20 30 minutes, arrived. He raised car hydraulic lift, loosened straps unscrewed bolts undercarriage vehicle, disconnected some hoses electrical connections. removed, hammered off bondo (a putty-like hardening substance seal openings) top opened access plate underneath found bricks. process 15 25 minutes. 4 grand jury Southern California one count unlawfully importing marijuana, violation 21 § 952, possession intent distribute, 841(a)(1). Relying motion held, inter alia, consistent 3d, 717. 5 Government advised basis denying suppression but believed Molina-Tarazon wrongly decided. required justify and, accordingly, suppress. Appeals, citing affirmed Court's judgment. (CA9, Mar. certiorari, 945 (2003), now reverse. 6 decided presenting similar facts bar. It asked "whether [the dismantling defendant's tank] `routine' which whatsoever required." 711. stated "[i]n goes beyond routine, must suspicion," "critical factor" determining whether "degree intrusiveness." Id., 712-713. 7 our 531 (1985), we word 538 ("Routine entrants are subject any suspicion, cause, warrant"); 541, n. ("Because issues presented today suggest view level if any, nonroutine such strip, body-cavity, involuntary x-ray searches"). person dignity interests being searched 8 Time again, "searches made pursuant longstanding right sovereign protect itself stopping examining crossing country, virtue fact they occur border." 616 (1977). Congress, since beginning Government, "has country." supra, 537 (citing 616-617 Act July 31, 1789, ch. 5, Stat. 29)). modern statute authorized case, 46 747, 19 1581(a),1 derived passed First Aug. 4, 1790, 35, 164, Villamonte-Marquez, 462 579, 584 (1983), reflects "impressive historical pedigree" power interest, 585. axiomatic sovereign, inherent protect, protecting, territorial integrity. 9 That borders illustrated evidence smugglers frequently attempt penetrate secreted their automobiles' Over past 5½ fiscal years, there been 18,788 ports entry. App. Pet. Cert. 12a. Of those 18,788, accounted 4,619 seizures, approximately 25%. Ibid. addition, instances smuggled around compartments discovered San Ysidro rate averaging every 10 days. 16a. Respondent asserts two main arguments respect interests. First, urges privacy. many occasions, interior. 538. searched. See 154 (1925) ("Travellers so stopped boundary because national self protection reasonably requiring entering identify himself entitled in, belongings lawfully brought in"). difficult imagine how should solely repository fuel, could automobile's passenger compartment. 11 Second, argues 62 (1992), reassembly significant deprivation damage does not, record cannot, truly contend procedure removal, disassembly, other resulted serious to, destruction of, property.2 According example, year 2003, 348 along negative (i. e., found), tanks reassembled, vehicles continued incident. Brief 31. 12 cites single accident involving motorist thousands disassemblies occurred involves can reversed damaging safety operation If occur, recovery. See, e. g., 31 3723; 1630. While insignificant when removes, disassembles, reassembles nevertheless border.3 13 For stated, conclude true destructive different result, them. judgment therefore reversed, remanded further proceedings opinion. 14 ordered. Notes: * Popeo Richard A. Samp Washington Legal Foundation et al. amici curiae urging reversal. Wesley Hall, Jr., David M. Siegel, B. Kemler National Association Criminal Defense Lawyers amicus affirmance. Section 1581(a) provides: "Any officer time go board vessel within waters or, authorized, customs-enforcement area established Anti-Smuggling Act, place, district, examine manifest documents papers examine, inspect, part thereof trunk, package, cargo board, end hail stop use all necessary force compel compliance." reliance cases exploratory drilling misplaced. SeeUnited Rivas, 157 364 (CA5 1998) (drilling body trailer suspicion); Robles, 45 (CA1 1995) machine Carreon, 872 2d 1436 (CA10 1989) camper suspicion). reason pass reasonableness drilling, note obvious factual difference rather potentially drilling. again open "whether, circumstances, deemed `unreasonable' particularly offensive manner carried out." 618, also sort delay need specialized labor, hour actual here potential even greater right. points indicating shields inconvenience about (including wait mechanic). oral argument, us that, depending type car, take hours. Tr. Oral Arg. 10. think clear delays hours expected. concurring. 16 I join full. keeps track agents conduct, including 53-54. This administrative help minimize concerns undertaken abusive manner.

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