Inquisitive Cops,Investigative Stops and Drug Courier Hops: Returning to the Scene of the Crime

Abstract

This article presents an integrated overview and commentary on the constitutional, sociological and programatic issues and developments germane to nabbing drug couriers through the two principal mechanisms which do not primarily rely on chance observation, prior information ("intelligence") or unembellished discretion: drug courier profile stops and bus sweeps. Attention is also given to "voluntary encounters" with drug courier suspects and to "consent searches." The article focuses on the employment of profiles in their main settings (airports, bus stations, on the highway), the underlying rationale bridging the Supreme Court's line of opinions on the topic, the key concepts and tenets which are central to forging legal doctrine facilitating investigatory encounters, and the status of (non-profile) suspicionless police contacts with passengers as a means for screening drug carriers.