Opinion ID: 743509
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Garza and Garcia

Text: 22 Garza and Garcia contend that the government failed to establish that they joined or furthered the purpose of this conspiracy. They argue that the government presented no evidence other than their mere presence and association with the narcotics found in connection with Inocencio and Tovar. We disagree. 23 Garza and Garcia participated in counter surveillance before rendezvousing with Tovar at the Days Inn and en route to Tovar's apartment and Inocencio's house. Garza and Garcia met with Tovar, whose apartment and car contained narcotics. The packages of cocaine found in Tovar's car and residence had the same label as the packages found in Inocencio's home. Garza and Garcia also met with Inocencio at a Texaco gas station where Inocencio gave them a green jacket with a firearm. Inocencio also told officers during questioning that Garza and Garcia were staying at his home. Garcia's fingerprints were found on drug ledgers and adding machine tapes in Inocencio's home. Garcia's fingerprints were also found on one of the boxes containing money found inside Inocencio's residence. Garcia carried Inocencio's pager number. Finally, officers found two firearms in the car occupied by Garza and Garcia. 24 Based on this evidence, the government clearly presented sufficient evidence to show that Garza and Garcia  'became associated with, participated in, and in some way acted to further the possession and distribution of drugs.'  United States v. Inocencio, 40 F.3d 716, 726 (5th Cir.1994) (quoting United States v. Chavez, 947 F.2d 742, 745-46 (5th Cir.1991)). Consequently, a reasonable jury could conclude that Garza and Garcia knowingly possessed cocaine with intent to distribute.