Opinion ID: 396247
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Claims of Donald Schmidt.

Text: 30 Donald Schmidt argues that the 421 warrant, pursuant to which his house and detached garage were searched, was not based on probable cause. We disagree and affirm Donald's conviction for possession with intent to distribute. 31 The 421 warrant detailed the informant's tip regarding the Schmidts' dope dealings, the officers' observations of Jeffrey's activities in Donald's garage and while driving the truck, and the plain view of garbage bags in the back of the truck just after it had been loaded at Donald's garage. Furthermore, the affidavit stated that marijuana was found in the bags when the truck warrant was executed. This information supports the inference that the source of the marijuana in the truck was Donald Schmidt's garage, and that additional marijuana might be stored there. See United States v. Sanders, supra, 631 F.2d at 1311-1313; United States v. Brown, 584 F.2d 252, 256-257 (8th Cir. 1978), cert. denied, 440 U.S. 910, 99 S.Ct. 1220, 59 L.Ed.2d 458 (1979). 32 Because there was sufficient probable cause to support the search of the appellant's garage pursuant to the 421 warrant, it is unnecessary for us to reach the question of the validity of the search of his house, as long as enough contraband was seized from the garage to support a conviction. 9 We conclude that where, as here, the circumstances evince a plan or intent to distribute, ten pounds of marijuana is an ample distributable amount. See United States v. Ramirez, 608 F.2d 1261, 1263-1264 (9th Cir. 1979) (twenty doses, or five grams, of cocaine held to be a distributable amount); United States v. Washington, 586 F.2d 1147, 1153 (7th Cir. 1978); United States v. James, 494 F.2d 1007, 1030-1031 (D.C.Cir.1974), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1020, 95 S.Ct. 495, 42 L.Ed.2d 294 (1974). See also Sentencing Reform and Parole Release Guidelines, 28 C.F.R. § 2.20 (1980). In this case, the method of packaging for apparent distribution, the loading of the drugs into the truck and the informant's tip evinced such a plan or intent. 33 Affirmed in part, reversed in part. 34