Two years ago I wrote a feature about the patron saint of narcotics, Jesus Malverde, and how cops in East Portland were treating Malverde’s presence in homes as a sign of possible drug activity. At the time, the phenomenon was just emerging, but now it seems a Malverde icon is being cited by police and prosecuting attorneys as a legal basis for developing probable cause. 
Malverde reared his head yesterday in a verdict from the court of appeals:
Passadore noticed, suspended from defendant’s rearview mirror, what he recognized as a so-called “Jesus Malverde” medallion, which, based on his training and experience, he believed was “a cultural icon specifically related to narcotics trafficking in the Hispanic community.”
The appeals court ruled against the appellant over suppression of evidence, although not solely related to the icon.
Jesus Badgreen?
Everything sounds better in Spanish.
tienes razon.
If they can call that probable cause, then can’t they just pull over everyone with long hair and a tie-dyed shirt and call it “probable cause”? Oh wait, they already do that.
Where can I get one of those guys? It’d look great with my doll collection, on the mantle.
I know you’re just dying to see it, aren’t you?
Here’s some of it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7635229@N06/3…
El Brillante is a shop just south of 181st and Stark that sells statues. BIG statues, and little statues. Get a big one.
The beeg one, she will not feet on the mantle! I need the leetle one!
thats like pulling over anyone with a jerr-bear sticker or anyone listening to snoop in their car.
Im one of the many people who belive in Jesus Malverde as i belive in god I think the goverment is taking this to far not only in the east portland but also in the west in the state of california the police department can’t stand to see a mexicano, latino or hispanic with a medallion of “MALVERDE” because they then asume you are in one way or another daeling drugas. I call my self “LA HIJA DE MALVERDE” y al que no le guste me vale………