Opinion ID: 761767
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: mekvichitsang's conspiracy conviction

Text: Only Mekvichitsang attacks the conviction for conspiracy to distribute heroin. To establish a drug conspiracy, the government must prove an agreement to accomplish an illegal objective, and the intent to commit the underlying offense. See United States v. Iriarte-Ortega, 113 F.3d 1022, 1024 (9th Cir.), amended on other grounds by 127 F.3d 1200 (9th Cir.1997), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 118 S.Ct. 1209, 140 L.Ed.2d 330 (1998). Mekvichitsang challenges the sufficiency of the conspiracy evidence on the grounds that the evidence of his agreement to buy heroin came from inherently unreliable government informants, Kovittamakron and Kulkovit. Yet the credibility of witnesses is a question for the jury unreviewable on appeal. See United States v. Vaccaro, 816 F.2d 443, 454 (9th Cir.1987). Moreover, [t]he uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice is enough to sustain a conviction unless the testimony is incredible or unsubstantial on its face. United States v. Lopez, 803 F.2d 969, 973 (9th Cir.1986). Because the witnesses' testimony was not incredible on its face, and was, in fact, corroborated by taped phone conversations and Mekvichitsang's conduct on the day of the aborted McDonald's meeting, Mekvichitsang's conspiracy conviction must be affirmed.