Opinion ID: 540010
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Charge on the Firearm Counts.

Text: 239 N. Vazquez, Cruz and Flores assert that the district court's instruction concerning section 924(c)(1) was improper. First, they contend that the jury charge for the section 924(c)(1) violation was too broad because it did not require the jury to find that the defendant in question used the weapon in order to protect the narcotics or to effect an escape. Second, they argue that the jury should not have been allowed to consider the conspiracy in count one as an underlying drug trafficking crime within the meaning of section 924(c)(1). These claims are without merit. 240 The district court required the jury to find that: 241 the defendant you are considering alone or with others kept [the weapon] in a place where drugs or drug proceeds are stored, packaged or distributed in order to enable drug traffickers to protect the drugs or drug proceeds. 242 This instruction is in conformity with the rule of United States v. Meggett, 875 F.2d 24 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 110 S.Ct. 166, 107 L.Ed.2d 123 (1989), which held that a weapon is used in connection with a drug trafficking crime if it is kept on hand to protect [an] apartment as a storage and processing point for large quantities of narcotics. Id. at 29. 243 Meggett also disposes of the second stated objection to the district court's instruction concerning the firearm counts. Meggett determined that: A heroin conspiracy, punishable under 21 U.S.C. Sec. 846, is a 'drug trafficking crime' and may serve as a predicate offense for purposes of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 924(c). Id. at 27 (citing United States v. Diaz, 864 F.2d 544 (7th Cir.1988), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 109 S.Ct. 2075, 104 L.Ed.2d 639 (1989); United States v. Torres, 862 F.2d 1025 (3rd Cir.1988)). 244 Cruz also asserts that an erroneous instruction concerning constructive possession undermined the section 924(c)(1) convictions. This contention is considered hereinafter. See infra, section H4 of this Discussion. 245