Opinion ID: 2390279
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Trafficking in a controlled substance.

Text: The indictment charged Appellant with possessing a quantity of powder cocaine with the intent to sell or distribute it to another. KRS 218A.010(24). Appellant argues that all of the cocaine was found in Waite's residence and none of it was found in his possession. However, on two different occasions, he was seen receiving from Waite and taking possession of baggies containing white powdery substances. Except for cocaine, the only baggie of white powdery substance found at the scene was the baggie of procaine, which Appellant at first claimed had been in his pocket for four days. From this evidence a jury could reasonably conclude that Appellant received from Waite and possessed at least two baggies of cocaine. The jury could also conclude from Waite's excited utterance when the baggie of cocaine was discovered near his shoes, as well as from Waite's testimony at trial, that all of the cocaine found in Waite's residence that night had been brought there by Appellant. There was evidence that the cocaine found in Waite's residence was of a high degree of purity and had a street value of $10,000.00. There was also evidence that some of the cocaine was in chunk form so that it was not yet ready for sale. Finally, there was evidence that although there are numerous cutting agents for crack cocaine, procaine is the cutting agent of choice in 80% of cases. From this evidence, the jury could reasonably infer that Appellant possessed the cocaine not for his own use, but for the purpose of sale or distribution to others. Commonwealth v. Benham, Ky., 816 S.W.2d 186 (1991).