United States First Circuit

Defendant's conviction for drug related offenses, arising from a search of a Bolivian flag vessel in international waters by the United States Coast Guard, is affirmed where: 1) defendant's argument that the government proved only that he was present on a vessel that happened to be carrying drugs, not that he knowingly possessed those drugs with the intent to distribute is without merit as the evidence against defendant was sufficient to sustain his conviction; and 2) the U.S. Coast Guard Commander's terse certification was sufficient to establish that the vessel was subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

Appellate Information

• Decided 01/20/2011
• Published 01/20/2011

Judges

• LIPEZ

Court

• United States First Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• José R. Olmo-Rodríguez, Germán A. Rieckehoff