United States of America v. Nzelo Chinedu Okafor

285 F.3d 842 (2002)

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United States of America v. Nzelo Chinedu Okafor

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
285 F.3d 842 (2002)

Facts

Nzelo Chinedu Okafor (defendant) was on a layover at Los Angeles International Airport while traveling between Brazil and Japan. During the layover, Okafor exited the plane and went to a lounge. A United States Customs Service (customs) (defendant) official was screening passengers entering the lounge. Based on Okafor’s inconsistent answers relating to his travels, the official became suspicious and directed Okafor to secondary screening. There, customs officials noted that Okafor’s bag was heavier than it should have been. An X-ray scan revealed a secret compartment in the bag. Using a metal probe, the officials cut a hole in the bag and extracted a white substance that tested positive for cocaine. Okafor was criminally charged. During the trial, Okafor moved to suppress the evidence collected by customs, stating that the use of the X-ray machine and cutting into his bag were unlawful, non-routine searches. The trial court denied Okafor’s motion, and Okafor was found guilty at trial. Okafor appealed the trial court’s denial of his motion to suppress.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Gould, J.)

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