United States Ninth Circuit

Where defendant's suitcase contained large amounts of cash wrapped in cellophane, dusted with narcotic residue, and defendant refused to identify the owner of the money, the government had probable cause to initiate forfeiture proceedings; since defendant failed to produce any evidence that the money was not related to drug activities, summary judgment against her was proper. (Amended opinion).

Appellate Information

• Argued 11/09/2001
• Decided 03/26/2002
• Published 03/26/2002

Judges

• Before: SCHROEDER, Chief Judge, TROTT, and RAWLINSON, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Ninth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Richard M. Barnett, San Diego, CA, for the claimant-appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Patrick K. O'Toole, United States Attorney, Rupert A. Linley, Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office, San Diego, CA, for the plaintiff-appellee.