Opinion ID: 479829
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Count III--Possession

Text: 48 Count III charged Disla with possession of the cocaine seized at the San Diego airport on May 8, 1985. Disla argues the government failed to prove possession because he was in jail at the time the cache of cocaine was seized and the government established (at most) a minimal connection between him and that event. At oral argument, the government argued that Disla's conviction on Count III was supported by three independently sufficient theories: first, Disla was criminally liable for the substantive offenses committed by his co-conspirators in furtherance of the conspiracy, Pinkerton v. United States, 328 U.S. 640, 66 S.Ct. 1180, 90 L.Ed. 1489 (1946); second, Disla had constructive possession of the cocaine even though he was in jail when it was seized; third, Disla aided and abetted the May 8th transaction. The record reveals, however, that the government did not request, nor did the district court give, a so-called Pinkerton instruction to the jury. The government's failure to obtain this instruction precludes our consideration of this theory as a ground for affirmance. United States v. Batimana, 623 F.2d 1366, 1369-70 n. 2 (9th Cir.) (citing Nye & Nissen v. United States, 336 U.S. 613, 618, 69 S.Ct. 766, 769, 93 L.Ed. 919 (1949)), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 1038, 101 S.Ct. 617, 66 L.Ed.2d 500 (1980). We therefore consider the government's two remaining theories. 49
50 Possession of a controlled substance under section 841(a)(1) may be constructive, as well as actual. United States v. Grayson, 597 F.2d 1225, 1229 (9th Cir.), cert. denied sub nom., MacGregor v. United States, 444 U.S. 873, 100 S.Ct. 153, 62 L.Ed.2d 99 (1979); United States v. Morando-Alvarez, 520 F.2d 882, 884 (9th Cir.1975). The term constructive possession does not connote a legal fiction. Rather, the term simply reflects the common sense notion that an individual may possess a controlled substance even though the substance is not on his person at the time of arrest. See, e.g., United States v. Amaro, 422 F.2d 1078, 1080 (9th Cir.1970) (constructive possession means the exercise of dominion and control); Arellanes v. United States, 302 F.2d 603, 606 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 371 U.S. 930, 83 S.Ct. 294, 9 L.Ed.2d 238 (1962). We have stated that constructive possession may be demonstrated by direct or circumstantial evidence that the defendant had the power to dispose of the drug, id. (citing Rodella v. United States, 286 F.2d 306, 311, 312 (9th Cir.1960), cert. denied, 365 U.S. 889, 81 S.Ct. 1042, 6 L.Ed.2d 199 (1961)); or the ability to produce the drug ..., id.; or that the defendant had the exclusive control or dominion over property on which contraband narcotics are found.... Id. Constructive possession may also be proven by the defendant's participation in a joint venture to possess a controlled substance. United States v. Valentin, 569 F.2d 1069, 1071 (9th Cir.1978) (citing authorities). The ultimate question is whether, viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the government, the evidence establishes a sufficient connection between the defendant and the contraband to support the inference that the defendant exercised a dominion and control over the substance. See, e.g., id. (and cases cited supra ). See also Murray v. United States, 403 F.2d 694, 696 (9th Cir.1969). 51 We have upheld many convictions under the theory of constructive possession. In Valentin, 569 F.2d 1069, appellant was charged with knowingly possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. Peter Valentin, appellant's brother, delivered a package containing cocaine to an airline freight office in Los Angeles and addressed the parcel to John Valencia at Fairbanks, Alaska. Drug inspectors intercepted the package but sent it on to Fairbanks. Officials at Fairbanks observed appellant pick up the package signing J. Valencia on the receipt for it. Telephone records indicated that appellant had made several calls to his brother's residence in Redondo Beach, California, and that he and his brother had traveled to various parts of South America earlier in the year. Police followed appellant to his home, arrested him, and observed the contents of the package in plain view. On appeal, appellant argued that the government had failed to demonstrate, among other things, that he had possessed the cocaine with intent to distribute. We held that the government presented more than sufficient evidence to support the conviction. The evidence revealed that appellant and his brother had joined in a joint venture to obtain and distribute cocaine. We stated: This supported the conclusion that they both shared knowing dominion and control over a large quantity of cocaine, appellant having constructive possession of it at least when Peter delivered it to the air freight office in Los Angeles consigned to appellant. Id. at 1071 (emphasis added). See also United States v. Morando-Alvarez, 520 F.2d 882, 884 (9th Cir.1975); United States v. Campbell, 507 F.2d 955, 958 (9th Cir.1974) (both involving joint ventures; cited in Valentin ). 52 Similarly, in Grayson, 597 F.2d 1225, appellants Grayson and MacGregor were traveling companions in adjoining seats on an international flight from South America. Upon their arrival at San Francisco, customs inspectors interviewed MacGregor and found notes in his pocket indicating that drugs had been stored in the airplane bathroom. After an unsuccessful search of the bathroom, officials discovered containers of cocaine under appellants' airline seats. We held that the government had produced sufficient circumstantial evidence to prove that Grayson was in constructive possession of the cocaine. We noted that the life vests had been removed from appellants' seats and that witnesses had stated that MacGregor had made numerous trips to the bathroom during the flight. We stated: Carrying cocaine on an international flight from Latin America, coupled with the above evidence, was sufficient to support the finding that appellants were guilty of importation, [and] possession with intent to distribute.... Id. at 1230. See also United States v. Humphrey, 759 F.2d 743, 750-51 (9th Cir.1985) (sufficient evidence to find that shipmates were in possession of large volume of marijuana). 53 But our cases have also carefully preserved the requirement that the government demonstrate sufficient indicia of dominion and control to support the inference of constructive possession. We have emphasized, for example, that  'mere proximity to the drug, mere presence on the property where it is located, or mere association, without more, with the person who does control the drug or the property on which it is found, is insufficient to support a finding of possession.'  Murray, 403 F.2d at 696 (quoting Arellanes, 302 F.2d at 606). In Arellanes, one of our leading cases, appellants Mr. and Mrs. Arellanes, were convicted of possession of heroin and marijuana. Police had discovered illegal drugs at appellants' home and subsequently discovered heroin and marijuana in the rear seat of appellants' automobile (which appellants were driving when the search occurred). At the time of the arrest, Mrs. Arellanes was reported to have said to a friend, I'll bet you didn't know you were sitting on fifty pounds of weed. 302 F.2d at 605-06. The government argued that it had proven Mrs. Arellanes was in possession of the marijuana because she was constantly seen with her husband at home and travel, and because of her remark regarding the fifty pounds of weed. We stated: These facts might indeed be said to establish that part of the charge related to facilitation of transportation, but they cannot show the possession or control which the government must establish to raise the presumption of guilty knowledge. Id. at 606-07 (emphasis in original). See also Murray, 403 F.2d 694, 696 (evidence insufficient to prove possession by companion of person concealing narcotics on biceps). 54 In Batimana, 623 F.2d 1366, appellants Batimana and Noguera were convicted of conspiring to import and possess heroin, and possession with intent to distribute. The evidence revealed that Samuel Nicanor and Virgilio Delin had arranged to have 500 grams of heroin delivered from the Philippines to Los Angeles International Airport. Appellants accompanied Nicanor to the airport, observed the delivery of the heroin, and then followed Nicanor to a local hotel. Appellants joined Nicanor and others in a hotel room; the heroin was later delivered to the room and shortly thereafter appellants were arrested. We held that the government had presented sufficient evidence to convict appellants on the conspiracy charge. The government had demonstrated both the existence of the conspiracy and appellants' connection to it. Id. at 1367-68. As in the present case, however, the government did not request a Pinkerton instruction. We held that the government had failed to demonstrate that appellants had constructive possession of the heroin:There is no evidence that appellants asserted dominion and control over the heroin. Indeed, the limited time span negates such an argument. Lavadia took possession of the package upon delivery. Appellants were not included in the subsequent conversation between Lavadia and Nicanor. Viewing the contents of the drug package does not indicate the requisite ability  'to assure [its] production, without difficulty, to a customer.'  United States v. Barnett, 468 F.2d 1153, 1155 (9th Cir.1972). 55 Id. at 1369. See also United States v. Ward, 703 F.2d 1058, 1062 (11th Cir.1983) (evidence insufficient to show defendant was in possession of drugs at time of arrest). 56 The foregoing obviously do not cover the entire spectrum of cases involving the constructive possession doctrine. But they provide sufficient guidance to analyze the facts presented in this case. In support of its theory of constructive possession, the government points out that at the time of Porfirio Garcia's arrest at the San Diego airport, numerous calls had been made from the twelfth floor of the Metropolitan Correctional Center to the Anita and Castleman Street apartments, and that calls also had been made from these apartments to Porfirio Garcia's residence in New York. The government also points to the January 19th call from the Castleman Street apartment (which was made when Disla's passport reflected that he was out of the country), and to the name Victor and directions to the Newton Street apartment on the bus schedule carried by Garcia at the time of his arrest; Victor Franco lived at that apartment. The government, however, has produced no evidence as to the content of the telephone communications and no other evidence establishing Disla's connection to the cocaine seized at the San Diego airport on May 8th. Although the phone calls provide circumstantial evidence connecting Disla to the ongoing conspiracy and help support his conviction on that count, see id. at 1367-68, they are insufficient to support a conviction for possession of the cocaine seized at the San Diego airport on May 8, 1985. The evidence here does not approach that presented in Valentin and Grayson and is significantly less probative than that offered in Batimana and Arellanes. The facts simply do not support a reasonable inference, under Batimana, that Disla asserted dominion and control over the cocaine seized at the San Diego airport on May 8, 1985. We must therefore hold that Disla's conviction on Count III may not be upheld under the theory of constructive possession. See also Ward, 703 F.2d at 1062; compare United States v. Kupper, 693 F.2d 1129, 1134 (5th Cir.1982) (government demonstrated possession even though defendant was in custody where, among other things, his fingerprints were found on controlled substance). 57
58 Our holding in Batimana also answers the government's contention that Disla's conviction on Count III may be sustained under a theory of aiding and abetting. To aid and abet another to commit a crime, the government must show not only that the defendant participated in the criminal venture, but that he intentionally assisted the venture's illegal purpose. United States v. Groomer, 596 F.2d 356, 358 (9th Cir.1979); United States v. Peichev, 500 F.2d 917, 120 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 966, 95 S.Ct. 229, 42 L.Ed.2d 182 (1974). In Batimana (discussed supra ), the government pointed to appellant Noguera's presence at the hotel room where the heroin was located and his act of chaining the hotel room door after the drugs had been delivered. We held that these circumstances were insufficient to prove that the appellants had done anything to effect the crime, or that they assisted in its perpetration. 623 F.2d at 1370. Applying the Batimana standard to the present case, the evidence by which Disla was found guilty as an aider and abettor was insufficient to convict him under Count III.