Opinion ID: 163964
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The investigative detention and subsequent search of the trunk

Text: 11 During a routine traffic stop, the detaining officer may request a driver's license and vehicle registration, run a computer check on the car and driver, and issue a citation. Soto, 988 F.2d at 1554 (citations omitted). The detaining officer may also question the vehicle's occupants regarding their identities, travel plans, and ownership of the vehicle. United States v. Rivera, 867 F.2d 1261, 1263 (10th Cir. 1989). Once an officer has completed a traffic stop, `[i]f the driver produces a valid license and proof of right to operate the vehicle, the officer must allow him to continue on his way without delay for further questioning.' Soto, 988 F.2d at 1554 (quoting United States v. Pena, 920 F.2d 1509, 1514 (10th Cir.1990), cert. denied, 501 U.S. 1207, 111 S.Ct. 2802, 115 L.Ed.2d 975 (1991)). However, 12 [f]urther questioning is permissible in two circumstances. First, the officer may detain the driver for questioning unrelated to the initial traffic stop if he has an objectively reasonable and articulable suspicion that illegal activity has occurred or is occurring. Second, further questioning is permissible if the initial detention has become a consensual encounter. Gonzalez-Lerma, 14 F.3d at 1483. 13 In this case, the district court found credible Sergeant Kummer's testimony that when he first began talking to Zabalza he detected a moderate to strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. 3 Determinations of witness credibility [are] review[ed] for clear error. United States v. McRae, 81 F.3d 1528, 1533 (10th Cir.1996). While Zabalza speculates in his brief that Sergeant Kummer might not have actually detected the odor of raw marijuana emanating from the vehicle at the inception of the stop, nothing in the record contradicts Sergeant Kummer's testimony on that point. Because it is not clearly erroneous, we accept the district court's determination that Sergeant Kummer's testimony was credible. 14 An officer's detection of the smell of drugs in a vehicle is entitled to substantial weight in the probable cause analysis. United States v. West, 219 F.3d 1171, 1178 (10th Cir.2000). This court has long recognized that marijuana has a distinct smell and that the odor of marijuana alone can satisfy the probable cause requirement to search a vehicle or baggage. United States v. Morin, 949 F.2d 297, 300 (10th Cir.1991) (citing cases); see also United States v. Vasquez-Castillo, 258 F.3d 1207, 1212-13 (10th Cir.2001) (holding that the smell of marijuana and irregularities in the trailer and log books of commercial truck created probable cause); United States v. Ozbirn, 189 F.3d 1194, 1200 (10th Cir.1999) (holding that officer's detection of the smell of marijuana was sufficient grounds upon which to detain suspect). Thus, Sergeant Kummer's search of the trunk was supported by probable cause. 4