United States v. Alfredo Valenzuela-Chairez

19 F.3d 1442 NOTICE: Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3 provides that dispositions other than opinions or orders designated for publication are not precedential and should not be cited except when relevant under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel. UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Alfredo VALENZUELA-CHAIREZ, Defendant-Appellant. No. 93-50271. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Submitted March 8, 1994. * Decided March 18, 1994. Before: PREGERSON, O'SCANNLAIN, and FERNANDEZ, Circuit Judges. 1 MEMORANDUM ** 2 Alfredo Valenzuela-Chairez appeals his conviction for importation of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs. 952 and 960, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841 (a)(1). Valenzuela contends that there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction and that the district court improperly sealed the affidavit used to obtain the search warrant. We affirm. 3 * Several factors support appellant's conviction with respect to the knowledge requirement. First, 700 pounds of cocaine were discovered in the trunk. "[M]ere possession of a substantial quantity of narcotics is sufficient to…