Liangsiriprasert

MEMORANDUM *

Appellant Somachai Liangsiriprasert (“Somachai”) appeals his conviction for conspiracy to import and distribute marijuana, attempted importation of marijuana, and aiding and abetting the possession of marijuana on board a vessel within the jurisdiction of the United States with the intent to distribute. 18 U.S.C. § 2 ; 21 U.S.C. §§ 952 (a), 960(a)(1), 960(b)(1)(G), 963; 46 U.S.C.App. § 1903(a). Somachai, a citizen of Thailand, argues that because he did not know the vessel carrying marijuana was bound for the United States, due process prohibits his prosecution for violation of United States drug laws. So-machai further argues that even if there is a sufficient nexus to allow his prosecution under U.S. drug laws, his conviction must be reversed because the district court erroneously (1) excluded from evidence those portions of his post-arrest statement in which he said he believed the marijuana was bound for Canada, not the United States, and (2) denied his motion for a continuance to retain new counsel. We affirm.

Although the district court failed to make the requisite determination that there was a jurisdictional nexus between Somachai’s conduct and the United…