Jimmie Thomas v. United States

On May 11, 1965, appellant, Thomas, a male companion, one Williams, and a female companion, one Freeland, visited Tijuana, Mexico. The party arrived in Tijuana between six and seven o’clock in the morning. After spending a part of the day in Tijuana, the party returned to the United States by way of the San Ysidro Port of Entry at approximately 2:30 o’clock, p. m.

At that time and place appellant was driving a Buick automobile and appellant’s companions were seated in the back seat. After a routine inspection by the Customs officer at the port of entry, the party was detained for further examination and search.

Appellant and Freeland were seated in a room with Customs Inspector Young, who was charged with the responsibility of maintaining observance over the two.

Williams was removed from the presence of the other two members of the party and searched. No contraband was found on Williams.

While observing appellant and Free-land Inspector Young heard a sound emanating from the floor in the vicinity of the right rear leg of the chair in which appellant was seated. Young observed a scarf or kerchief flutter to the floor directly below the position of appellant’s hand and over the…