Opinion ID: 492031
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Machaalani

Text: 96 Appellant Machaalani was convicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs. 841 and 846 (Count One), and on one count of conspiracy to import heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs. 952, 955, 960 and 963 (Count Two). The government's evidence against Machaalani included the testimony of Basil Cannata, an accomplice, who testified that he and Nedam Annabi picked up 1300 grams of heroin from Machaalani in Boston. Other evidence of Machaalani's involvement in the conspiracy included intercepted telephone conversations involving appellant and Sami Annabi, interpreted by Agent Nolan to be drug-related, testimony by Jorge Audinot that Sami Annabi referred to Machaalani as one of his couriers, and surveillance of a meeting between appellant and Sami Annabi. In conspiracy cases,  'once a conspiracy is shown, only slight evidence is needed to link another defendant with it....'  United States v. Wilkinson, 754 F.2d 1427, 1436 (2d Cir.) (citation omitted), cert. denied, 472 U.S. 1019, 105 S.Ct. 3482, 87 L.Ed.2d 617 (1985). Therefore, we conclude that the government's evidence was sufficient to permit a rational juror to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Machaalani was a member of the charged conspiracy.