Opinion ID: 2995380
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sulley Salami

Text: The facts surrounding Salami’s involvement in the January 14, 1998 heroin transaction also support his conviction on conspiracy charges. First and foremost, Salami admitted to federal agents that he had known Bonsu for two years and that he had discussed the January 14, 1998 sale of heroin with Bonsu. Although Salami argues that he never discussed drugs with Bonsu prior to the planning of the January 14 transaction, that assertion is dramatically undercut by the facts presented at trial. When viewed with a critical eye, those facts indicate that Salami and Bonsu operated with a distinct level of trust. For example, before the effectuation of the January 14 sale of heroin, Salami provided Bonsu with a sample dosage of heroin prior to receipt of payment. Evidence of fronting, or providing drugs ’up front’ [and without payment] may establish the existence of a conspiracy because it indicates cooperation and trust between the parties. Ferguson, 35 F.3d at 221. Similarly, Bonsu used a special numerical code when paging Salami. That code indicated to Salami that Bonsu was attempting to contact him. The use of this special code indicates that both Bonsu and Salami had a systematic way of communicating and transacting business. Salami’s post-confession drug transactions also support the jury’s verdict. After his arrest and confession, Salami agreed to cooperate with government to implicate Biliki Brimah in the government’s investigation./5 During the course of his cooperation, Salami purchased up to 100 grams of heroin from Biliki Brimah. These post-confession transactions between Brimah and Salami were standardized in the method of transfer, with the drugs consistently wrapped inside a napkin. Furthermore, the facts support a conclusion that there was a level of trust and familiarity between Brimah and Salami. Brimah was willing to front modest to large quantities of drugs on Salami’s behalf, as evidenced by her provision of a sample dosage to Salami on January 13, 1998. The above facts, standing alone, support the jury’s conclusion that Salami participated in a conspiracy to distribute heroin.