Opinion ID: 392678
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Issues Loose Threads

Text: The appellees moved to suppress all the marijuana seized on September 22, both from the vehicles and from the farm. Judge Higginbotham concluded that the search warrant was validly executed and that the marijuana found in the barn was properly seized beyond serious cavil. United States v. Rivera, 486 F.Supp. at 1027. Further, he concluded that Clifton and the law-enforcement officers he supervised had probable cause to stop the vehicles, arrest the occupants, and search the vehicles without a warrant. Id., 486 F.Supp. at 1028. However, Judge Higginbotham granted the motion to suppress the marijuana found in the vehicles. He concluded that, although the seizure of the bags had been legitimate, the core-sampling constituted a search that was impermissible without a warrant. 4 The government presents two major contentions on appeal: (1) the taking of core samples from cargo that was immediately apparent to be marijuana was not a search; and (2) the core-sampling invaded no privacy interest protected by the Fourth Amendment. Finding both of the government's contentions foreclosed by the recent decision in Robbins v. California, --- U.S. ----, 101 S.Ct. 2841, 69 L.Ed.2d 744 (1981), we affirm.