Shahanja

BACKGROUND

On November 10, 2003, a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) attempted to deliver a package addressed to Harry Fox (“Fox”) at 2378 Huntington Drive in Duarte, California. Because no one was at home to accept delivery of the package, the letter carrier left a notice at the residence, informing the addressee that he could pick up the package at the post office in Duarte. The letter carrier felt nauseated after handling the package, which appeared to con- 16070 UNITED STATES v. SAHANAJA tain a liquid substance even though it was labeled as contain- ing videos.

Later that day, Alejandra Oquendo (“Oquendo”), Sahana- ja’s girlfriend, also a resident of 2378 Huntington Drive, attempted to claim the package at the Duarte post office. Oquendo was told that she could not receive the package unopened because she was not the addressee and that, if she wanted to sign for the package on Fox’s behalf, she would have to open it in the presence of postal employees. After Oquendo declined to sign for and open the package, it was placed in an isolated area of the post office.

On November 14, 2003, Sahanaja, who also was a resident of 2378 Huntington…