# US v Edwards

Initially charged w knowlingy and intentioanlly poesssionsy w the intent to distribute 30,000 pounds of marijuana.

A pretrial motion to supress the evidence of the marijuana was denied and following bench trial was found guilty.

Appealing on the basis that the motion to surpress the evidence should have been granted.

Aprile 23 CG Station Key West recieves a distress call from appelant that the Lady Barbara(a vessel) was run aground and taking on water.

Cutter Steadfast responds but cannot find the vessel

They find the steadfast within our territorial seas

They board the vessel and the appelant goes on the STeadfast

Hours later the Florida marine State Patrol investigates the distress call since they were also dispatched but couldn’t get to the LADY Barbara due to rough seas.
- They receive a tip that there is marijauana on board
- So they board with dual intention of ensuring nobody is else is on the aground vessel AND finding marijuana

They find 30k pounds

They call the steadfast and the steadfast comes, the CG also realises the LB(Lady Barbara) is on their suspect vessels list

Appelant argues

Coast Guard at no time attempted to secure a warrant to search the Lady Barbara.

Contents that because it was packaed in burlap sacks and becase the CG had no fear of the contents, the 4th amendment prohibits a warantless search and seizreu.

It is well established that you cannot claim a warrantless search and seizure for items that were voluntarily discarded, so the question now becomes whether or not the appelant voluntarily left or not.

Appelant court rules that the appelant called for aid, accepted aid, and thus voluntarily left. Therefore no need for a warrant.