United States v. $307,970 (N.C. 2019) 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84342

Traffic Stop; Currency Sniff; Reliability Foundation; Alert

This was an appeal of trial motions as to whether certain witnesses could testify. The court ruled that the handler of the PSD and the expert proffered by the government could testify.

This case arose from a traffic stop and consent to search. A large amount of currency in vacuum sealed bags was found. Later, PSD alerted.

The court found the PSD reliable and therefore handler would be able to testify. In addition, the government wanted to use an expert to address the inevitable defense claim of innocent contamination (all money has drug residue). Court ruled here that he could do so.