Opinion ID: 559043
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence to Convict Lupio of Possession.

Text: 37 Lupio argues that there was no evidence from which the jury could conclude that he knowingly possessed the cocaine. A person may not be convicted of illegal possession unless he knows contraband is present and is capable of exercising dominion and control over the contraband. United States v. Penagos, 823 F.2d 346, 350 (9th Cir.1987) (citing United States v. Behanna, 814 F.2d 1318, 1319 (9th Cir.1987) (quoting United States v. Rodriguez, 761 F.2d 1339, 1341 (9th Cir.1985))). 38 The record shows that Lupio drove the automobile to the place where the narcotics sale was to take place and opened the secret compartments that contained the cocaine. This evidence is sufficient to demonstrate that Lupio had dominion and control over the cocaine in the automobile. 39