Vega
United States v. Vega
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM *
Brothers Jose Antonio Vega (“Jose”) and Mario Vega (“Mario”) appeal their *590 jury trial convictions and sentences for conspiracy to possess, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 (a)(1), 846. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742 , and we affirm.
In 2001, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and two local police departments began a joint undercover investigation into heroin trafficking in Los Angeles. Jose admitted at trial that he participated in a series of five controlled narcotics sales to DEA confidential informants, in amounts ranging from 1.83 grams to 25 grams of heroin. On or about May 10, 2001, in an effort to draw out Jose’s supplier, the DEA arranged to buy $5000 of heroin from Jose. The next day, Mario drove to Jose’s residence and gave him an automobile distributor coil, which contained approximately 233 grams of heroin. Jose was arrested after a confidential informant viewed the heroin-filled distributor coil at the buy site.
At about the time of Jose’s arrest, other task force officers stopped Mario and conducted a narcotics search of his vehicle.…