State v. Cavanaugh

The State appeals from a ruling of the Superior Court {Gray, J.) granting the defendant’s motion to suppress. The trial court ruled that police officers’ failure to have a previously issued search warrant present upon the commencement of a search violated the defendant’s constitutional rights. For the reasons that follow, we reverse and remand.

The essential facts in this case are not disputed. On the evening of November 5, 1991, the Salem police planned and implemented a “controlled buy” of $50 worth of marijuana from the defendant at the *194defendant’s apartment. Several detectives maintained…