The United States of America v. Edward Leon

Edward Leon appeals his conviction by a jury of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a) (1) and (b). We affirm.

During the morning of June 11, 1971, appellant and Gerald Rivera entered the United States from Mexico at the San Luis, Arizona port of entry, in an automobile rented by a third party. The car was searched, and no contraband was found. During the search the border agents received a computer report that appellant was believed to be trafficking in marijuana, and they immediately instituted surveillance.

Appellant and Rivera drove to a motel in Yuma, where they joined Frank Childs and Doris DeAngelo and loaded camping equipment and two suitcases into the car. The suitcases appeared light and empty. The quartet then drove to another Yuma motel, where they rented a room. That afternoon, DeAngelo and Rivera obtained empty cardboard boxes from a store and rented a two-wheeled trailer. In the evening appellant, DeAngelo and Childs drove to Mexico. DeAngelo and Childs returned to Yuma early on the morning of June 12.

About 6:00 a. m., appellant and an unidentified Mexican arrived at the motel, stayed for about an hour, and…