United States v. Paul Manfredi, George Weggers, and Emory Butner

Butner, Manfredi and Weggers appeal from convictions for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 (a)(1) and 846 (1976) and 18 U.S.C. § 2 (1976). We affirm.

Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), cooperating with officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), investigated cocaine trafficking in the Bellingham, Washington area. James Ballendine, an RCMP undercover agent, assumed the identity of a “middle level drug trafficker from Vancouver,” and in this capacity became acquainted with Jeffrey Randall, who occasionally sold him small amounts of cocaine. Ballendine expressed interest in purchasing as much as five pounds. Thereafter, Randall met with Bal-lendine in Bellingham to confirm that a “source in Florida” could supply five pounds of cocaine.

One week later, Ballendine met Randall by arrangement at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport and accompanied him to the lounge of the nearby Seattle Holiday Inn. Sergeant Lee Joubert of the RCMP, also acting undercover, joined them and the three discussed the cocaine transaction, agreeing upon the sale of about five pounds…