NCJ Number
116119
Journal
Arizona Law Review Volume: 30 Issue: 4 Dated: (1988) Pages: 949-967
Date Published
1988
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the detention of motorists based upon their exhibition of drug courier profile characteristics compiled by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Abstract
The drug profile characteristics were initially developed to detect those carrying illegal drugs through airports. Unlike the skyjacker profile, the drug courier profile is not secret. The question arose whether drug courier profiles were a constitutionally acceptable law enforcement tool. Characteristics of the drug courier are presented, such as which city the suspect arrived from. This profile is then applied to the highway setting. The article then examines the legality of the detention of motorists based solely upon the drug courier profile. Various State Supreme Courts (i.e., New Mexico) have endorsed the proposition that a motorist's exhibition of drug courier profile characteristics is reasonable suspicion to detain motorists. The author concludes that the highway drug courier profile has not fared well in courts due to its failure to imitate the safeguards against intrusiveness and arbitrariness of the FAA skyjacker profile. 162 references.