Harold Albert Hopkins v. United States

Hopkins was convicted on a charge of conspiracy to conceal and facilitate the transportation and concealment of marihuana imported contrary to law. (21 U.S.C. § 176a.) On appeal, his principal attack is upon the indictment. We affirm.

The evidence shows the following: Hopkins entered the United States from Mexico at the San Ysidro port of entry on the morning of September 24, 1967. He arrived there in a car driven by Jon Eric Andersen. He was found to be carrying a large sum of cash, $760. After being properly warned, he stated that he had agreed with Andersen that he, Hopkins, would drive a certain 1956 Oldsmobile car from the United States to Mexico, loaded with weapons, that the weapons were to be exchanged for marihuana, and that Hopkins was to bring the marihuana, in the same car, into the United States. The marihuana was then to be shipped (whether by Hopkins is not clear) to New York, where Hopkins was to go, obtain the marihuana and deliver it to Andersen. For these services, Hopkins was to be paid $2,000. When the agreement was made, Andersen paid Hopkins $50. The trip that was interrupted by the agents was arranged by Andersen for the purpose of showing Hopkins where to…