United States v. Orlando Franchi-Forlando

BREYER, Circuit Judge.

The appellant, Orlando Franchi-Forlan-do, is an Italian citizen, living in Colombia. He was flying on Iberia Airlines from Colombia to Spain when his airplane made a scheduled stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He went to the “in-transit” lounge at the airport. A United States Customs Service officer boarded the aircraft and inspected the luggage in the baggage hold. Noting that one of the suitcases (with a false bottom) looked suspicious, the officer poked it with a probe. He found cocaine. He then took the suitcase to the in-transit lounge and confronted the appellant.…