Opinion ID: 415511
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Conspiracy to Import.

Text: 20 The evidence in this case is more than sufficient to establish Michelena-Orovio's guilt of conspiracy to import. The voyage of the ALEX LUZ was at least five days long. The Coast Guard discovered over twelve tons of marijuana aboard the seventy-five foot boat. The jury could infer from the length of the voyage and size of the vessel a close relationship between the captain and the crew. 21 While a crew member may be convicted of conspiracy to import marijuana merely on the basis of his presence on a ship loaded with a large amount of contraband, United States v. Bland, 5 Cir., 653 F.2d 989, cert. denied, 1981, 454 U.S. 1055, 102 S.Ct. 602, 70 L.Ed.2d 592; United States v. Willis, 5 Cir.1981, 639 F.2d 1335, the government has established more than mere presence in this case. There was evidence that the odor of marijuana permeated the small vessel. In both Bland and Willis the hold containing the illegal cargo was sealed shut and there was no testimony at trial in either case that the odor of marijuana could be detected. Further, there were other suspicious facts concerning the ALEX LUZ. When the Coast Guard first spotted the vessel, it had its lights reversed so that it appeared to be going in the direction opposite to its actual course. The logical explanation for this unusual lighting practice was that the boat was attempting to escape detection. This suspicion was confirmed when the boat changed direction as soon as its crew became aware of the Coast Guard's presence. 22 The situation on board was hardly likely to dispel the suspicions aroused by the boat's outward appearance. Besides the fact that the boat apparently reeked of marijuana, there was no fishing equipment aboard and no cargo other than the contraband. Consequently, it could be inferred that Michelena-Orovio, as a crew member, was hired to handle the marijuana, the only cargo on board. In addition, all eight persons aboard the ALEX LUZ, including the defendant, acted in concert, when they came on deck with their bags packed. They all agreed that there was no captain aboard the vessel. The jury could infer that the group acted in concert to conceal the identity of the captain. 23