Opinion ID: 1940661
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The Home Search Was Proper

Text: Finally, Morgan claims that there was not a sufficient nexus between the home to be searched and the evidence sought. For probable cause to exist, a nexus between the items to be sought and the place to be searched must be established. [10] The nexus between the objects to be seized and the premises searched need not, and often will not, rest on direct observation, but rather can be inferred from the type of crime, the nature of the items sought, the extent of an opportunity for concealment and normal inferences as to where a criminal would hide [evidence of a crime].... [11] Police officers observed the car described by CI 365 as belonging to VC outside of 252 Cameo Court. CI 365 told police that VC was possibly selling ecstasy from his home in Dover East, and that Morgan was leaving that residence and going to the Safeway to sell ecstasy. The officers did not find the ecstasy in the car, which they pulled over on the Safeway's access road, but they did find crack cocaine and a digital scale. It, therefore, was logical for them to infer that the ecstasy pills might be in Morgan's mobile home. Pharr identified 252 Cameo Court as her and Morgan's residence. The officers stated in the affidavit that in their experience, drug traffickers commonly conceal drugs and contraband in their homes. These facts establish a nexus between the contraband sought and the premises searched Morgan's home at 252 Cameo Court. Accordingly, we hold that the totality of the circumstances set forth in the affidavit supports the magistrate's determination that probable cause existed for the issuance of a search warrant.