Opinion ID: 700703
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Ohaegbu.

Text: 19 Wright contends that Ohaegbu's role as a narcotics broker does not support a finding that Wright organized or supervised him in any way. We agree. Although there may be cases where a narcotics buyer organizes or supervises his supplier within the meaning of Sec. 848, this is not such a case. 20 Every legitimate retail store makes arrangements with its regular suppliers. In one sense it may be said to organize its supply, but does it organize its suppliers? Surely not in the sense of being a manager of its suppliers. To be an organizer within the sense of the statute more is required than simply being a steady customer. 21 United States v. Jerome, 942 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir.1991). See also Delgado, 4 F.3d at 784. Wright's steady purchases of Ohaegbu's drugs, standing alone, does not satisfy the management requirement of Sec. 848. 22 A review of the record uncovers no additional evidence from which to infer that Wright organized Ohaegbu's activities. Although Ohaegbu picked up and dropped off Hubbard at the airport on her request, 4 a reasonable factfinder could not interpret this act as evidence of organization or supervision. Buyers and sellers often need to accommodate one another when meeting and arranging for delivery. Such conduct is simply incidental to the buyer-seller relationship. See Ward, 37 F.3d at 249 (explaining that directions to buyers were nothing more than instructions concerning where to meet for the drug purchase). In sum, a reasonable jury could not conclude that Wright, alone or acting through Hubbard, organized or supervised the activities of Ohaegbu. 23