Opinion ID: 529826
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 26 Wong, Sui Chan, and Ip contend that the evidence was insufficient to support their convictions. We must determine whether after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979) (emphasis in original). 27 The only element of the offenses that merits discussion is knowledge or intent. A rational jury could have determined beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants knew the suitcases contained heroin. The jury considered evidence that Ip, Wong, and Sui Chan had met and traveled together in Malaysia. Wong and Chan each arrived in Los Angeles with a false-sided suitcase containing four pounds of heroin. Ip arrived at the Los Angeles airport in a rental car with a copy of Wong's and Chan's itinerary and watched the two, but never spoke to them. Ip surreptitiously signaled Wong and Chan. Instead of riding in Ip's rental car, Wong and Chan got on a tour bus. Ip returned the rental car after less than thirteen miles of use. When they arrived at their hotel, Wong and Chan immediately canceled their reservations. Ip met them at the hotel in a taxi, and Wong and Chan were going to Ip's taxi, suitcases in hand, when they were arrested. A rational jury could reasonably infer from this evidence that Ip, Wong, and Chan knew that they were importing large amounts of heroin.