From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

United States v. Grayson

United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Aug 28, 1980
625 F.2d 66 (5th Cir. 1980)

Summary

holding that intent to sell may be inferred from possession of 304.77 grams of cocaine

Summary of this case from Ferguson v. Knight

Opinion

No. 79-5550. Summary Calendar.

Fed.R.App.P. 34(a); 5th Cir. R. 18.

August 28, 1980.

Robert Rosenblatt, Miami, Fla. (Court-Appointed), for defendant-appellant.

Stephen B. Gillman, Asst. U.S. Atty., Miami, Fla., for plaintiff-appellee.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Before GEE, HENDERSON and HATCHETT, Circuit Judges.



The only issue presented for review in this case is whether evidence consisting solely of the quantity of the controlled substance seized is sufficient to uphold an inference of intent to distribute. We hold that it is sufficient, and affirm.

Upon arrival at Miami International Airport from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on May 3, 1979, Elbert Grayson was found to have concealed on his person four packages containing 413.1 grams of dilute cocaine hydrochloride. This amount is the equivalent of 304.77 grams of cocaine.

Grayson was convicted on both counts of a two-count indictment charging importation of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 952(a) and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). He was sentenced to concurrent terms of two years imprisonment on each count.

Intent to distribute a controlled substance under 21 U.S.C. § 841 may be inferred solely from possession of a large amount of the substance. United States v. Vomero, 567 F.2d 1315 (5th Cir. 1978); United States v. Johnson, 469 F.2d 973 (5th Cir. 1972); United States v. Mather, 465 F.2d 1035 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 1085, 93 S.Ct. 685, 34 L.Ed.2d 672 (1972). In United States v. Mather we found the defendant's possession of 197.75 grams of cocaine, without more, to be sufficient to support the inference that distribution was intended. Cf. Turner v. United States, 396 U.S. 398, 90 S.Ct. 642, 24 L.Ed.2d 610 (1970); United States v. Olvera, 523 F.2d 1252 (5th Cir. 1975). (In these cases, the amount of cocaine, less than one gram and two grams, was too small to infer intent to distribute.)

Because we find the cocaine found in Grayson's possession to be of sufficient quantity to support an inference of intent to distribute, we affirm the judgment of the district court.

AFFIRMED.


Summaries of

United States v. Grayson

United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Aug 28, 1980
625 F.2d 66 (5th Cir. 1980)

holding that intent to sell may be inferred from possession of 304.77 grams of cocaine

Summary of this case from Ferguson v. Knight
Case details for

United States v. Grayson

Case Details

Full title:UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, v. ELBERT GRAYSON…

Court:United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Date published: Aug 28, 1980

Citations

625 F.2d 66 (5th Cir. 1980)

Citing Cases

Ware v. U.S.

"Intent to distribute a controlled substance under 21 U.S.C. § 841 may be inferred solely from possession of…

U.S. v. Shurn

In fact, intent to distribute has been inferred solely from possession of large quantities. See, United…