Opinion ID: 4100519
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Rental Vehicle

Text: [¶26] Both Officers Edwards and Clark testified that there was some significance in Tesfaye and Adan driving a rented vehicle. They testified that in their experience, individuals who traffic drugs typically use a rental vehicle. Officers Edwards and Clark explained that a rental vehicle is preferred by drug traffickers because, in the event that they are caught, their personal vehicles would not be seized. Officer Edwards testified that the fact the vehicle was a rental was “extremely relevant” in his training and experience with regard to drug interdiction. [¶27] Tesfaye argues that this Court cannot use innocent conduct, such as possession of eye drops, energy drinks, and driving a rental vehicle, in its analysis of reasonable and articulable suspicion. We agree that such conduct is not inherently suspicious. However, this Court does not view each fact in isolation; rather, we look at the totality of the circumstances to determine if reasonable, articulable suspicion exists. Therefore, considering the totality of the circumstances, including (1) Adan and Tesfaye both acting nervous; (2) they told Officer Edwards conflicting stories about the trip; (3) Tesfaye did not know the name of the passenger they dropped off; (4) the vehicle contained masking agents, a GPS, eye drops, and an energy drink; (5) Tesfaye had recently been put on probation for possession of methamphetamine; and (6) the vehicle was a rental, we conclude there was reasonable and articulable suspicion that Adan and Tesfaye were engaged in criminal activity. And thus, their continued detention until a K-9 unit arrived was lawful.