When a federal judge in New York threw out evidence in a multi-million dollar drug case, it set off a political firestorm. City, state and national elected and law enforcement officials criticized Judge Harold Baer Jr. for ruling that more than 80 pounds of cocaine and heroin seized from a womanÆs car could not be used as evidence. The judge said that it was understandable, and not suspicious, for four men who had delivered the packages to run away when they recognized a police officer. As a result, the search of the womanÆs car was not legal, the judge ruled. HereÆs the judgeÆs ruling, issued January 24, 1996.
