Opinion ID: 1133555
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: ¶ 6. Blissett contends the evidence against him was insufficient to establish that he possessed marijuana or intended to distribute same. When reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, this Court considers all of the evidence in the light most consistent with the verdict, giving the State the benefit of all inferences favorable to the verdict. This Court affirms when the evidence was such that reasonable jurors could have found the defendant guilty. Dudley v. State, 719 So.2d 180, 182 (Miss.1998). ¶ 7. The State argued that Blissett constructively possessed the marijuana found within the trunk of the vehicle. The theory of constructive possession was explained in Curry v. State, 249 So.2d 414, 416 (Miss.1971), as follows: [T]here must be sufficient facts to warrant a finding that defendant was aware of the presence and character of the particular substance and was intentionally and consciously in possession of it. It need not be actual physical possession. Constructive possession may be shown by establishing that the drug involved was subject to his dominion or control. Proximity is usually an essential element, but by itself is not adequate in the absence of other incriminating circumstances. ¶ 8. Citing Fultz v. State, 573 So.2d 689 (Miss.1990), Blissett argues that the State failed to prove he was in constructive possession of the marijuana. Fultz was pulled over by an officer for driving erratically and was subsequently arrested. A search of the vehicle he was driving revealed seven and a half ounces of marijuana in the trunk for which Fultz was convicted of possession with an intent to distribute. In reversing Fultz's conviction, we found the evidence insufficient to establish constructive possession where the only incriminating evidence besides Fultz being the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was that he had a small amount of marijuana on his person at the time of the arrest. ¶ 9. Unlike Fultz, the arresting officer in the instant case testified to smelling a strong, overpowering odor of unburned marijuana as he approached the vehicle and that air fresheners were scattered throughout the vehicle. The officer explained that the odor of the marijuana was so strong because it was a large amount loosely packed in bags, as opposed to vacuum packed. Further, Blissett's nervous demeanor at the time of the stop was inconsistent with a lack of knowledge of the marijuana in the car. We therefore believe the State presented circumstantial evidence showing Blissett knew or should have known of the marijuana's presence in the trunk of the vehicle. ¶ 10. Blissett also argues that the quantity of the evidence alone is insufficient to establish an intent to distribute. However, this Court has held on several occasions that a large quantity of a controlled substance can alone establish an intent to distribute. See, e.g., Boches v. State, 506 So.2d 254, 260 (Miss.1987) (348 pounds of marijuana); Keys v. State, 478 So.2d 266, 268 (Miss.1985) (five grocery bags of marijuana). ¶ 11. The jury observed the quantity of the marijuana, and two narcotics agents estimated the bags together weighed between 40 and 50 pounds. Both also testified that, in their experience as narcotics agents, this quantity is far beyond what a person would keep for personal consumption. Examining the facts in the light most favorable to the State, sufficient evidence was provided to establish Blissett's intent to distribute.