United States v. Sanjuana Ruiz Cox

GEWIN, Circuit Judge:

Appellant Sanjuana Ruiz Cox was prosecuted under a two-count indictment charging her with importation of marijuana 1 and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. 2 After a jury trial and adverse verdict she was adjudged guilty on both counts and sentenced to two concurrent five-year terms of imprisonment and three years’ parole. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

On February 12, 1975 appellant entered the United States from Mexico in a 1966 Chevrolet. When she was routinely stopped and questioned at the Hidalgo, Texas port of entry, she declared a bottle of…