Opinion ID: 516169
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 43 Appellant claims that there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction. He argues that, although he was in possession of the handbag, the evidence was inadequate to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he knew that the handbag contained a controlled substance. Therefore, appellant asserts, the jury could not find beyond a reasonable doubt that the he had the requisite knowing and willful mental state, an indispensable element of the crimes for which he was convicted. 44 Our standard of review with respect to challenges to the sufficiency of the government's evidence is whether, taken as a whole and viewed in the light most favorable to the government, the evidence and all legitimate inferences therefrom would allow a rational trier of fact to find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Molinares Charris, 822 F.2d 1213, 1218 (1st Cir.1987) (quoting United States v. Luciano Pacheco, 794 F.2d 7, 10 (1st Cir.1986)). 45 Appellant's reliance on United States v. Samad, 754 F.2d 1091 (4th Cir.1984), is misplaced. 8 In Samad, the Fourth Circuit held that mere possession is insufficient to establish the intent to import or to distribute a controlled substance of foreign origin. Id. at 1096. Although we concur that possession alone may not be enough to prove the requisite state of mind necessary for importation or intent to distribute, the trial record here establishes that the evidence against the appellant went beyond mere possession. 46 We have held that knowing participation in a venture to import a controlled substance can be inferred from circumstantial evidence. Molinares Charris, 822 F.2d at 1218. At the time the cocaine was discovered, the handbag was in the exclusive possession of the defendant. The handbag and its contents (photo album) contained approximately three (3) pounds of cocaine. Defendant was returning to Spain after a brief stay in Colombia. Defendant did not know the name of the woman who allegedly gave him the handbag or the name of the person to whom it was to be delivered. In addition to the cocaine, the handbag contained coffee which defendant admittedly placed there. Defendant's statement to the customs official as to the purpose for his trip to Colombia was inconsistent with his testimony. 9 47 Considering the evidence as a whole, including the legitimate inferences to be drawn therefrom, a jury could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knowingly and willfully participated in a scheme to possess, import and distribute cocaine.