United States v. Mitchell Bernard Litman

WIDENER, Circuit Judge:

In January 1981, the defendant Litman was arrested and later indicted for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The defendant moved to suppress evidence discovered in the search of a shoulderbag that he was carrying when he was arrested. The district court granted the defendant’s motion, and the government appeals. We reverse.

On the morning of January 16, 1981, an undercover agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration arranged through an intermediary to buy five ounces of cocaine from the defendant. The agent was told…