Opinion ID: 456285
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Probable Cause to Search Storage Lockers

Text: 21 Cardona concedes the affidavit contained sufficient information to justify the search of his apartment. However, he contends the affidavit did not establish probable cause to search the two self-storage lockers he rented. 22 To sustain the warrants in this case, Agent Granados' affidavit must contain sufficient evidence to support an inference that drugs might be found in Cardona's self-storage lockers. United States v. Foster, 711 F.2d 871, 877 (9th Cir.1983), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 104 S.Ct. 1062, 80 L.Ed.2d 132 (1984). The affidavit may establish a sufficient connection between Cardona's illegal drug transaction, the drugs themselves, and the rented storage lockers, even though they have not been tied by direct evidence. United States v. Hicks, 752 F.2d 379, 383 (9th Cir.1985); Foster, 711 F.2d at 878. Further, Agent Granados's opinion, based on experience, that evidence of Cardona's drug dealings would be found at the rented storage lockers, is an important factor to be considered in determining whether probable cause existed. Foster, 711 F.2d at 878. 23 In the search warrant affidavit, Agent Granados briefly outlined his 13 years of experience as a DEA agent, described certain patterns of behavior he had found to be typical of members of Colombian drug organizations, and recounted numerous incidents which indicated Cardona was a drug dealer and which linked his apartment to his drug business. Agent Granados stated that members of Colombian drug organizations typically keep drugs in self-storage lockers, like those rented by Cardona, which are within driving distance from their apartment. Although Agent Granados did not state that DEA agents observed Cardona removing anything from or placing anything into the lockers, he did describe a number of events and transactions which strongly suggested Cardona was exchanging packages of drugs that had been stored in the subject lockers. Therefore, the magistrate reasonably concluded that it was probable that evidence would be found in the storage lockers. 24 AFFIRMED.