Buritica

ORDER

Plaintiff Amanda Buritica brings this action alleging various torts and constitutional violations against the-United States government, five United States Customs inspectors and several non-federal defendants. Buriti-ca’s claims arise out of an incident in which Customs agents detained her at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) because they suspected her of smuggling drugs into the country.

On December 22, 1997, the court issued a lengthy order addressing multiple cross-motions for summary judgment. While the court granted summary judgment for some defendants on certain claims, the court allowed Buritica to proceed to trial with (1) her claims against the government for tort damages as well as declaratory and injunctive relief, (2) her claims against the five Customs inspectors for Bivens damages as well as declaratory and injunctive relief and (3) her claims against the non-federal defendants for declaratory and injunctive relief. Pursuant to FRCP 42(b), the court bifurcated the action and indefinitely postponed the trial of Buritica’s claims against the non-federal defendants.

Trial of Buritica’s claims against the Customs inspectors and the government began on…