Court Opinion

ID: 9667184
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 01:37:40.047657+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:35.812360
License: Public Domain

BAKER, Justice,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. The evidence is insufficient for a conviction of attempted possession of cocaine. The State alleged the aggravating element of possession of 400 grams or more of cocaine including adulterants and dilutants. The State did not prove the aggravating element.
To sustain a conviction for an attempt crime, a person must commit an act amounting to more than mere preparation. The act must tend but fail to effect the commission of the offense intended. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 15.01(a) (Vernon 1974). The State may aggravate an attempt charge. The aggravating element must accompany the attempt. See Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 15.01(b) (Vernon Supp. 1990). The amount of cocaine alleged in the indictment is a crucial element of the State’s case. This amount determines the potential punishment range. See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 481.115(d) (Vernon 1991).
The aggravating circumstance is possession of 400 or more grams of cocaine. The State must prove the amount of controlled substance including adulterants and dilu-tants seized in a “buy/bust” operation. See Reeves v. State, 806 S.W.2d 540, 543 (Tex.Crim.App.1990). The State must prove the existence of adulterants and dilu-tants. Once proven, their weight may be added to the controlled substance. The amount of this combination aggravates the charge. See Reeves, 806 S.W.2d at 542-543; McGlothlin v. State, 749 S.W.2d 856, 861 (Tex.Crim.App.1988). The amount seized must equal at least the amount alleged in the charge. See Reeves, 806 S.W.2d at 544; Sloan v. State, 750 S.W.2d 788, 789 (Tex.Crim.App.1988); McGlothlin, 749 S.W.2d at 861.
This case is not a “bust/buy” operation. This case is a “reverse sting” operation. These are operations in which the police act as drug sellers. The State must prove each specific element of the crime alleged. Wright v. State, 603 S.W.2d 838, 840 (Tex.Crim.App.1980). The State must prove the accused had specific intent to possess the amount of the controlled substance alleged in the indictment.
After analyzing Reeves, the majority holds the evidence sufficient to permit the court to find that appellant attempted to possess 400 grams or more of cocaine. I cannot agree.
The State introduced evidence appellant requested four kilos of cocaine. There is no evidence about the amount of adulterants and dilutants in the four kilos. Because of the State’s allegations in the indictment, Reeves requires testimony that adulterants or dilutants were added to increase the bulk of the final product. See Reeves, 806 S.W.2d at 543-545. There is no evidence to prove the aggravating element.
The Penal Code provides an alternative where a “reverse sting” is involved. This alternative is a charge of illegal investment. See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 481.126 (Vernon Supp.1991). The State could have proven an illegal investment charge. Appellant requested cocaine and displayed money for an exchange. An illegal investment charge does not require proof of a specific amount of a controlled substance. It only requires proof that a defendant intended to invest money in an illegal enterprise. Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 481.126(a) (Vernon Supp.1991).
*543I would reverse and enter a judgment of acquittal.