Court Opinion

ID: 9771668
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 16:50:44.702745+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:35.135895
License: Public Domain

KAPLAN, Justice,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. The issue in this case is whether the State can prove the quantity and nature of a controlled substance based on the random sampling of separate bags or containers and visual observation. In cases where the weight of the controlled substance is an essential element of the offense, I would require the State to scientifically test a random sample from each bag or container until the aggregate amount of controlled substance or a mixture thereof satisfies the requisite statutory weight.
Two jurisdictions have addressed this issue. In Illinois and Florida, the State is required to scientifically test the contents of each bag or container to prove that it contains a controlled substance. People v. Hill, 169 Ill.App.3d 901, 120 Ill.Dec. 574, 581, 524 N.E.2d 604, 611, appeal denied, 122 Ill.2d 585, 125 Ill.Dec. 228, 530 N.E.2d 256 (1988) (powder cocaine); People v. Ayala, 96 Ill.App.3d 880, 52 Ill.Dec. 446, 448, 422 N.E.2d 127, 129 (1981) (heroin); People v. Games, 94 Ill.App.3d 130, 49 Ill.Dec. 666, 667, 418 N.E.2d 520, 521 (1981) (cannabis); Ross v. State, 528 So.2d 1237, 1239 (Fla. Dist.Ct.App.), review denied, 537 So.2d 569 (Fla.1988) (powder cocaine). A chemist need only test random samples within each container to prove the make-up of the remainder of the substance in the container. Hill, 120 Ill.Dec. at 582, 524 N.E.2d at 612. However, the contents of a container not scientifically tested may not be considered in determining the severity of the offense. Hill, 120 Ill.Dec. at 582, 524 N.E.2d at 612; Ayala, 422 N.E.2d at 129; Games, 49 Ill. *334Dec. at 667, 418 N.E.2d at 521; Ross, 528 So.2d at 1240-41.
Two reasons have been advanced for this rule. First, some contraband substances look the same as legitimate compounds. See Ross, 528 So.2d at 1239. Second, the fact that one or two packets containing a controlled substance are found among other packets containing similar-looking material is no assurance that the untested packets also contain a controlled substance. Id.
The majority completely disregards this authority and focuses instead on two other cases. In Bond v. State, the issue was whether testing one of 139 separately wrapped rocks of cocaine was sufficient to sustain a conviction. 538 So.2d 499 (Fla. Dist.Ct.App.1989). The court, in a per cu-riam opinion, first recognized the rule that requires the random sampling of each separate bag in powder cocaine cases. Id. at 500. The court then summarily concluded that rock cocaine more closely resembles pills than powder, citing Asmer v. State, 416 So.2d 485 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1982). Id. The court reasoned that, because Asmer and Ross approve the random testing of commingled pills, the chemist was not required to test each rock of cocaine. Id.
I am not persuaded by Bond. First, Asmer nowhere suggests that crack cocaine more closely resembles pills than powder. Second, the rock cocaine in Bond was not commingled but separately packaged. While a similar-looking, commingled substance may in fact be homogeneous, the same inference cannot be drawn where similar-looking substances are separately packaged. Ross, 528 So.2d at 1240. To sustain the conviction based on the testing of only one out of 139 separately wrapped rocks is in direct conflict with all of the aforementioned authority.
The other case cited by the majority is distinguishable. In People v. Kaludis, the issue was whether random sampling was sufficient to sustain a conviction for possession of 100 methaqualone tablets. 146 Ill.App.3d 888, 100 Ill.Dec. 382, 497 N.E.2d 360 (1986), appeal denied. A chemist testified that all of the tablets exhibited the same physical characteristics with respect to color, diameter, roundness, thickness, hardness, scoring, and bevelling. Id., 100 Ill.Dec. at 384, 497 N.E.2d at 362. All were marked “Lemmon 714.” The tablets had identical lettering and were manufactured on the same press with the same dies. Id., 100 Ill.Dec. at 387, 497 N.E.2d at 365. Based on these facts, the court held that the random sampling of tablets exhibiting similar characteristics was sufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that all the confiscated tablets contained the same controlled substance. Id., 100 Ill.Dec. at 387-88, 497 N.E.2d at 365-66.
I find Kaludis to be factually distinguishable. First, it appears that all the tablets were contained in one package.1 In that event, random sampling would be sufficient to prove the nature and quantity of the controlled substance. Hill, 120 Ill.Dec. at 582, 524 N.E.2d at 612. Additionally, the physical properties of rock cocaine and methaqualone tablets are not analogous. The chemist in this case testified that the substance in the untested bags was rock cocaine based on her visual observation that it was the same off-white color and hardness and was packaged the same way. In my opinion, this testimony more closely resembles the descriptions given in the powder cocaine and cannabis cases where the courts require the scientific testing of each bag or container. Cf. Bond, 538 So.2d at 500.
Finally, the majority relies on a Texas case to support its holding that an expert may testify regarding the quantity and nature of a controlled substance based upon visual observation. In McGlothlin v. State, 749 S.W.2d 856, 857 n. 2 (Tex.Crim. App.1988), a chemist testified about the quantity of amphetamine based solely on *335an in-court visual observation. The court reversed the conviction because the State failed to prove that the defendant possessed the statutory amount of amphetamine. Id. at 861. The court did not address whether expert testimony as to the quantity and nature of a controlled substance based solely on visual observation is an acceptable method of scientific proof. McGlothlin is therefore inapposite.
In this case, only five of the 54 bags recovered by the police were scientifically tested and found to contain rock cocaine. The contents of the tested bags weighed 2.237 grams. I would hold that the State failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that appellant was in possession of greater than 28 grams of a controlled substance. Tex.Health & Safety Code Ann. § 481.-112(c) (Vernon 1992). I would grant appellant’s motion for rehearing and reverse the trial court’s judgment.

. The court distinguished Ayala and Games, cases in which drugs were found in more than one bag. Id., 100 Ill.Dec. at 386, 497 N.E.2d at 364. Moreover, the chemist testified that "he had never experienced a situation where counterfeit tablets came in one bag, were found to be alike pursuant to a tablet ballistics test, and contained different controlled substances.” Id., 100 Ill.Dec. at 385, 497 N.E.2d at 363 (emphasis added). Although it is not clear from the opinion, it is reasonable to conclude that the tablets were retrieved from the same container.