Opinion ID: 2347993
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Other Law Enforcement Officers

Text: The affidavit recited many incidents described to affiant by other law enforcement personnel, including members of the Maine State Police, an F.B.I. agent, Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, and Massachusetts State Police officers. The activities described by these officers covered areas in Canada, Maine, and Massachusetts but did not relate directly to the area in Meddybemps for which a search warrant was sought. Furthermore, the time span would include events occurring between November, 1974 and April, 1975. While it may be arguably true that the totality of these many seemingly unrelated transactions might suggest some type of past conspiracy between the defendant and at least two other persons to deal in stolen merchandise at undefined prior times, they do not establish probable cause to believe that on July 21, 1975, the defendant was so engaged in Meddybemps, Maine. Reverting to the language of Gamage, there must be factual circumstances providing a basis for the conclusion that evidence is present or crimes are occurring in the place to be searched.  (Emphasis supplied.) 340 A.2d at 15.