People v. Diaz

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed.

Viewed in the light most favorable to the People (People v Contes, 60 NY2d 620, 621 [1983]), the trial evidence was sufficient to allow a jury to infer both that defendant exercised dominion and control over the van from which police recovered over four ounces of crack cocaine, and that defendant had knowledge that the drugs were secreted in a hidden compartment beneath the van’s air bag cover (Penal Law § 220.18 [1]). Defendant’s knowledge could be inferred from his sole possession of the van at the time…