Opinion ID: 285721
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Alleged Illegal Search and Seizure

Text: 33 The principal error relied upon by appellants is that of the seizure of the heroin from unindicted coconspirator Ales on May 6, 1966, and from defendant Cruz' and defendant Guttierez' room on May 12, 1966; as well as the seizure of the baseball schedule card from codefendant Vasquez and the piece of cardboard taken from defendant Cruz were each unlawful; and that such evidence should have been suppressed. 34 The short answer to this is that no motion to suppress any evidence was made by any defendant prior to trial, when such a motion is required (subject to the court's discretion) to be made. Fed.R.Crim.P. 41(e). The motion shall be made before trial of hearing unless opportunity therefor did not exist or the defendant was not aware of the grounds for the motion, but the court in its discretion may entertain the motion at the trial or hearing. Cf. Jones v. United States, 362 U.S. 257, 260-261, 80 S.Ct. 725, 4 L.Ed.2d 697 (1960). 4 35 When counsel for defendants urged at the conclusion of the Government's case that he had made a motion to suppress evidence because such evidence had been obtained illegally and without a search warrant, the court asked to what documents he referred. Mr. Marcus replied by reading the second paragraph of his motion (numbered (2) in note 4, to suppress the indictment ) which reads as follows: 2. The evidence presented to the grand jury in support of the indictment was illegally and unlawfully obtained, in violation of the constitutional rights of each of the named defendants. (Emphasis added.) 36 There was but one affidavit filed on behalf of this motion to Suppress and Dismiss the Indictment. It was made by defendant Duran, and recited matters of public record with respect to state prosecution, and ended with five additional pages (C.T. 27-35) — largely based on information and belief, relating solely to the alleged improper influences and inducements allegedly brought to bear on the witness Ales. (C.T. 35-40.) 37 Affiant further stated on information and belief that the basis for the Indictment of the defendants in this matter is solely predicated upon the evidence so elicited from the said Ales, and that no other evidence before the Federal Grand Jury is sufficient in itself to support said indictment. (Emphasis added. C.T. 39-40.) 38 Thus it seems clear no motion to suppress the evidence, now relied upon as unlawfully obtained, was ever made on behalf of these appealing defendants in the trial court, as required by Fed.R. Crim.P. 41(e). On the second day of trial, the motion numbered (3) (n. 4 of this opinion) was made and granted. On the third day the motion numbered (4) (n. 4 of this opinion) was made and denied. No motion to suppress evidence was made at any time during the trial. 39 On July 12, 1966, after the trial, motions for acquittal and for a new trial were made. A general reference to an unlawful search and seizure was made (C.T. 72) in the motion for acquittal, without reference to the specific error now raised for the first time on this appeal. No mention was made whatsoever of this alleged error in the defendants' motion for new trial. (C.T. 75-76.) 40 Thus, appellants not only did not raise the issue (now sought to be raised on appeal) prior to the trial, as required by Rule 4(e); but they did not even raise the same alleged error at the trial. The only attack made on any evidence up to the conclusion of the trial was Mr. Marcus' statement, made on hearing the motion to dismiss the indictment, that the motion was predicated on the fact the unindicted coconspirator Alfred Ales had been taken before the grand jury in the absence of Ales' counsel and his constitutional rights had been violated. Further, the record discloses that Mr. Marcus had knowledge, prior to the trial, of the point he declined to raise prior to trial, or at it. 41 No objection was made based on an unlawful search and seizure when the Alexandria Motel heroin was offered in evidence. (R.T. 303.) It was stipulated both heroin exhibits (Exs. 1-B and 2-B) were properly authenticated and identified as to chain of custody. (R.T. 300.) 42 Appellants recognize they first have a problem in establishing their standing to raise the search and seizure issue as to the heroin taken from Ales' room. Had Ales been indicted with them he would have had standing to object, and they, as codefendants, would likewise have had standing. McDonald v. United States, 335 U.S. 451, 69 S.Ct. 191, 93 L.Ed. 153 (1948); Hair v. United States, 110 U.S.App.D.C. 153, 289 F. 2d 894 (1961). But the Government did not choose to indict Ales. 43 Jones v. United States, 362 U.S. 257, 264, 80 S.Ct. 725 (1960), is relied upon by the appellant Duran to establish that because he was charged with receiving, concealing and facilitating (emphasis his), the concealment and transportation of heroin in Counts II and V, this in effect charged Duran with possession of heroin on both May 5 and May 11, 1966. Assuming, arguendo, we adopt appellant Duran's position as to his standing to suppress evidence as to Counts II and V by reason of the charges therein of possession against him; Jones v. United States, supra, is still not controlling. It is limited by its factual situation to motions made in a timely manner prior to trial. 44 Possession of narcotics by Duran is not an essential element of Count I. No proof of actual dealings in narcotics is required to establish conspiracy to violate the narcotic laws. United States v. Nuccio, 373 F.2d 168, 174, n. 4 (2d Cir.), cert. denied 387 U.S. 906, 87 S.Ct. 1688, 18 L.Ed.2d 623, rehearing denied, 389 U.S. 889, 88 S.Ct. 16, 19 L.Ed.2d 199 (1967). The prosecution in a conspiracy case need not establish that all defendants directly handled the drugs. Lacaze v. United States 391 F.2d 516, 519 (5th Cir. 1968); Genovese v. United States, 269 F.Supp. 616 (S.D.N.Y.), aff'd, 378 F.2d 748 (2d Cir. 1967). Lack of possession could not save appellant Duran's conviction on Count I. We find no merit in the court's failure to suppress evidence when it was never suggested it should so act. 45