Document: 469 U.S. 478 105 S.Ct. 881 83 L.Ed.2d 890 UNITED STATES, Petitionerv.Lyle Gerald JOHNS et al. No. 83-1625. Argued Nov. 28, 1984. Decided Jan. 21, 1985. Syllabus Pursuant to an investigation of a suspected drug smuggling operation, United States Customs officers, by ground and air surveillance, observed two pickup trucks as they traveled remote private airstrip in Arizona the arrival departure there small airplanes. The officers smelled odor marihuana approached saw back packages wrapped dark green plastic sealed with tape, common method packaging marihuana. After arresting certain respondents at airstrip, took Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) headquarters, were then placed DEA warehouse. Three days after seized from trucks, Government agents, without obtaining search warrant, opened some samples that later proved be Before trial on federal charges, District Court granted respondents' motion suppress marihuana, Appeals affirmed, concluding, inter alia, v. Ross, 456 798, 102 2157, 72 572—which held if police have probable cause lawfully stopped vehicle, may conduct warrantless any containers found inside conceal object did not authorize three removed trucks. Held: 1. Respondents' argument suppression should affirmed grounds never had vehicle search, thus rendering Ross inapplicable, is merit. record shows believe only but also themselves contained contraband. Chadwick, 433 1, 97 2476, 53 538, distinguished. contention fails show ever fact occurred merit, since even though searched scene, conducted least extent entering removing headquarters. Pp. 482-483. 2. was unreasonable merely because it unloaded establishes could when first discovered no requirement occur contemporaneously its lawful seizure. Neither does nor other "vehicle search" decisions this suggest searches must invariably "immediately" part inspection or "soon thereafter." Moreover, Appeals' approach further privacy interests protected Fourth Amendment. Because contraband, expectation vehicles their contents subject officers' authority returned headquarters warehouse rather than immediately opening them. Inasmuch entitled seize them reasonable consistent Court's precedent involving impounded vehicles. 483-488. 707 F.2d 1093 (CA9 1983), reversed remanded. Alan I. Horowitz, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. William G. Walker, Tucson, Ariz., respondents. Justice O'CONNOR delivered opinion Court. 1 In 572 (1982), search. issue present case whether authorizes several Although Ninth Circuit acknowledged under vehicles, court concluded delay initial seizure made subsequent within meaning (1983). We certiorari, 467 1250, 104 3532, 82 838 (1984), we now reverse. 2 * officer went respondent Duarte's residence where he drive away, contacted who surveillance 100 miles near Bowie, approximately 50 Mexican border. Soon arrived, aircraft landed. unable see what transpired, counterparts informed one airplane. short time, departed. A second landed 3 Two came closer parked about 30 yards One investigate individual rear covering blanket. ordered come out behind lie ground. As walked towards They tape. Based prior experience, knew smuggled commonly packaged manner. Respondents Duarte, Leon, Gomez, Redmond, Soto arrested scene. Office followed airplanes Tucson. Johns Hearron, pilots, upon landing. 4 desert airstrip. Instead, Without agents leaves unclear precisely packages, parties do dispute conclusion Appeals, F.2d, 1095, 5 grand jury indicted conspiracy possess possession intent distribute, violation 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) 846. trial, appealed pursuant 18 § 3731. rejected Government's contentions plain emanating warrant unnecessary Hearron lacked standing challenge packages. 1095-1096, 1099-1100. these issues before Finally, 1097-1099. disagree conclusion, II 6 argue affirm therefore inapplicable case. contend 538 (1977), unlawful. These arguments are persuasive. events surrounding rendezvous isolated indicated involved activity. observe landed, consequently loaded into detected distinct See Carroll States, 267 132, 149, 162, 45 280, 283, 288, 69 L.Ed. 543 (1925). Given experience cases, doubt scent however, unaware until contraband might well been hidden elsewhere agree 1097, 7 Under circumstances case, reliance Chadwick misplaced. footlocker soon trunk automobile, warrant. refused hold generally supports luggage. U.S., 11-13, S.Ct., 2483-84. involve exception recognized supra, contrasted footlocker, 11-12, This point underscored our decision which notwithstanding course 810-814, 2165-2167. simply inapposite. 817, 2168. 8 occurred. meritless. It true thoroughly taken show, Thus, possibility more extensively affect presented III 9 Our analysis central begins Ross. There allows same scope authorized magistrate. 823, 825, 2171, 2172. "A would support every contain search." Id., 821, 2170. justify container, noted protection afforded Amendment varies different settings. 2171. "[A]n individual's survive given transporting contraband." Ibid. Cf. South Dakota Opperman, 428 364, 367-368, 96 3092, 3096, 49 1000 (1976) (discussing lesser motor vehicles); Cardwell Lewis, 417 583, 590-591, 94 2464, 2469, 41 325 (1974) (plurality opinion). Consequently, "[i]f justifies 10 acknowledged, 1098, previous indicate acted permissibly waiting contents. id., 1099. Texas White, 423 67, 68, 304, 305, 46 209 (1975) (per curiam); Chambers Maroney, 399 42, 52, 90 1975, 1981, 26 419 (1970). "[T]he justification such vanish once car has immobilized." Michigan Thomas, 458 259, 261, 3079, 3081, 73 750 (1982) curiam). custody basis contains exigent 261-262, 3081; Florida Meyers, 466 380, 1852, 80 381 (1984) 11 occurs cases limitation. containers. making roadside arrest driver paper bag appeared narcotics. 801, 2160. thorough leather pouch containing currency. distinguish between scene pouch. entire open affected existence impractical secure container. legality determined reference Carroll. 12 noted, footnote street "a thereafter station permitted impounded." 807, n. 9, 2163, 9. When read context, remarks plainly temporal restrictions applicable itself. expressly limit application requiring vehicle. 28. "The automobile . defined nature container secreted. Rather, places found." 824, itself either expand contract well-established 13 lacks Whether interest reeking debatable. previously can inferred outward appearance, Arkansas Sanders, 442 753, 764-765, 13, 99 2586, 2593, 61 235 (1979), based rationale "plain odor" Haley, 669 201, 203-204, (CA4 1982), cert. denied, 457 1117, 2928, 1329 (1982). Circuit, approach, 1096, pursued appeal. need determine possessed legitimate 14 Tucson Jacobsen, 109, 119-120, 1652, 1659-1660, 85 (no package examined party); 3081. practical effect opposite direct all discover (noting similar consequence impounded). result little benefit person whose property searched, continue think execution necessarily unreasonable. 592-593, 2470 (impoundment 1-day make examination exterior done spot); Edwards, 415 800, 805-806, 1234, 1238, 39 771 (warrantless suspect's clothing permissible arrest). 15 indefinitely retain complete Coolidge New Hampshire, 403 443, 523, 91 2022, 2066, 29 564 (1971) (WHITE, J., dissenting). Nor foreclose owner attempt prove completion adversely possessory interest. Place, 462 696, 103 2637, 77 110 note plausible concealed legitimacy sought return property. alleged, much less proved, conclude (1984); (1982); Cooper California, 386 58, 61-62, 87 788, 790-791, 17 730 (1967) (upholding place seven pending forfeiture proceedings). 16 Accordingly, reversed, remanded proceedings opinion. so ordered. BRENNAN, whom MARSHALL joins, dissenting. 19 Consistently my disagreement 827, 2173 (MARSHALL, joined dissenting), I dissent today's unwarranted extension general rule proscribes closed 10-11, 2482-2483, (1977). Even authorities holds evidence crime, permits "seizure property, issuance examine contents, exigencies situation demand it. ." 701, 2641, That located provides reason departing constitutionally permissible. 831, 2176 dissenting) ("[T]he traditional rationales extending vehicle"). fortiori occurring violates 20 But accepting blithe analogy curiam), clear why regard questionable. 384, 3104, BRENNAN Stewart, JJ., dissenting); 69, 305 case; exigency precluded efforts obtain cannot pass comment addressed us. obviated them, 1093, 1095-1096 (1983), renewed here. Yet while properly noting us, ante, 481, suggests very definite view respect merits issue. Citing requirement, 3, today opines "[w]hether debatable." Ante, 486. significant divergence lower courts. Compare Dien, 609 1038, 1045 (CA2 1979). And most importantly, offhand commentary contradicts question. Johnson 333 10, 68 367, 368, 92 436 (1948) ("[O]dors alone warrant"). circumstances, surely improper briefing how resolve important unsettled question law. 22 dissent.

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