Opinion ID: 543006
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the validity of the search and seizure of the myth

Text: 35 Whether the Coast Guard acted lawfully in stopping, boarding, and searching the Myth is a mixed question of fact and law which we review de novo. United States v. Dobson, 781 F.2d 1374, 1376 (9th Cir.1986). We uphold findings of fact the district court used in denying a motion to suppress unless they are clearly erroneous. See United States v. Feldman, 788 F.2d 544, 550 (9th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1067, 107 S.Ct. 955, 93 L.Ed.2d 1003 (1987). 36 Davis contends that the Coast Guard illegally stopped, boarded, and searched the Myth. The Coast Guard acted under valid statutory authority pursuant to 14 U.S.C. Sec. 89(a), which states: 37 The Coast Guard may make inquiries, examinations, inspections, searches, seizures, and arrests upon the high seas and waters over which the United States has jurisdiction, for the prevention, detection, and suppression of violations of laws of the United States. For such purposes, ... officers may go on board of any vessel subject to the jurisdiction, or to the operation of any law, of the United States, address inquiries to those on board, examine the ship's documents and papers, and examine, inspect, and search the vessel and use all necessary force to compel compliance. 38 As discussed above, the United States had jurisdiction over the Myth because it was within the customs waters of the United States. 39 Davis also contends that the search and seizure of the Myth violates the fourth amendment. We hold that the protections of the fourth amendment do not extend to the search of the Myth on the high seas. See United States v. Verdugo-Urquidez, --- U.S. ----, 110 S.Ct. 1056, 1061, 108 L.Ed.2d 222 (1990). Although Verdugo-Urquidez only held that the fourth amendment does not apply to searches and seizures of nonresident aliens in foreign countries, the analysis and language adopted by the Court creates no exception for searches of nonresident aliens on the high seas. See id. (No indication that fourth amendment was intended to protect aliens in international waters). 4