People v. Cadena CA2/8

FACTS

On May 14, 2014, the Hollywood Division Narcotics Unit of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) conducted an undercover drug purchase from Ida Garcia. Garcia consented to a search of her residence on Hoover Street after her arrest and gave the officers the keys to her apartment. At Garcia’s apartment, the officers’ attempts to enter were thwarted by someone inside who relocked the door immediately after officers unlocked it. When the officers were finally able to enter, they conducted a protective sweep with their guns drawn. They found Cadena about to exit the kitchen door, which led to an outdoor staircase. Cadena was detained because the officers believed she could be fleeing with evidence. Cadena was handcuffed and asked for her identification. She directed the officer to her purse and gave permission to look in it. A plastic bag containing a substance resembling methamphetamine was found inside Cadena’s purse near her identification card. Cadena was charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance in violation of Health and Safety Code section 11377, subdivision (a). Cadena moved to suppress a glass bulb and the plastic bag found by the police in her…