U.S. v. Saucedo

In prosecution on drug conspiracy charge, Dist. Ct. did not err in denying defendant’s motion to suppress drugs seized from hidden compartment located in cab of defendant’s tractor-trailer after police had stopped tractor-trailer for expired license plate and after police had discovered that defendant had no valid driver’s license and had prior conviction for drug distribution. Defendant consented to search of tractor-trailer without registering any limitation to search at time consent was given, and officer could reasonably determine that drugs could be located somewhere in cab area. Moreover, officer may search for and open hidden compartments in vehicles based on general consent to search vehicle. Fact that police officer used flashlight and screwdriver to remove hidden compartment from alcove in cab did not mandate finding that officer exceeded scope of consent where officer’s actions did not dismantle any functional part of tractor.