USA V. JUAN PINEDA-MORENO

[kandrathe]

Likewise, DEA does not get involved in petty drug issues, DEA is interested in much larger cases. If DEA was involved with Pineda, it's cause he had a large growing operation. For relatively small amounts of drugs (personal use or a dealer), drug cases are left to local authorities or other agencies (like INS, Customs, Border Patrol, etc). DEA does not involve itself if smaller drug quantities.

I know it is inconvenient that the government needs to follow rules, and these rules restrict their abilities. The alternative is the frequent violation of peoples rights.

I found another bit about the case; "On September 12, 2007, DEA agents pulled Pineda-Moreno's vehicle over after received information from one of the devices indicating he was leaving a suspected grow show. Agents said they smelled marijuana, though none was found in the vehicle or on Pineda-Moreno or his three passengers. After contacting immigration authorities, who arrested the three other men, DEA agents searched Pineda-Moreno's home and found two garbage bags full of pot."

Two garbage bags seems like a sizable quantity, and it may be more than what one can use for personal use, but it doesn't seem massive to me. Another thought; This actually was a 4 month investigation with probable cause. How hard would it have been to take the evidence they had to a judge to obtain a warrant for GPS surveillance on his vehicle?