OPINION
BARNES, Senior Circuit Judge:
I Facts
On approximately September 1, 1974, a previously untested informant approached Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff William B. Stoops, informing him that Defendants Jerry Hong and Robert Prueitt were both pilots, that Prueitt owned an airplane, that Hong would fly Prueitt’s aircraft and Prueitt would fly another airplane, that both would fly to some location in the desert near Apply Valley, California, where they would meet some camper vehicles with other people. There, according to the informant, Hong and Prueitt would meet certain persons arriving by auto, and would take the seats out of the airplanes, line the inside with plastic material and install extra gas tanks. Then, the following morning, Hong and Prueitt would fly the airplanes to Mexico, leaving sometime prior to dawn, and return within approximately sixteen hours with marijuana which would be unloaded into the campers. The seats would then be placed back into the airplanes and the [998]*998planes flown back to the El Monte Airport. Deputy Stoops requested the informant to contact him when such a trip was planned.
On October 1, 1974, the informant called Stoops, relating that the- above scheme would take place beginning that same day at 4:00 p. m. when Hong and Prueitt were to leave from the El Monte Airport. Stoops then contacted the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and related all the information he had received from the informant first to Agent Roberts and later that day to Agent Sye. Upon receipt of this information, Sye and fellow agents commenced surveillance of Prueitt’s airplane. At 5:30 p. m., Prueitt’s plane, occupied by both.Hong and Prueitt, and under air surveillance, departed from the El Monte Airport and flew to Brackett Airport in La Verne, California, about twenty miles away. Several minutes later, it taxied back onto the runway and .requested take-off clearance. A second aircraft, which had been parked beside Prueitt’s plane also requested the same clearance and departure time. When both aircraft were airborne, Agent Sye monitored conversations between the pilots, noting that the parties were referring to one another as “Jerry” and “Bob” (the first names of Defendants Hong and Prueitt). At approximately 6:30 p. m., both aircraft landed at an abandoned Navy dirt airstrip located in the desert. The planes were met by a pickup camper and a station wagon with a trailer attached. ■ Sye, who had observed the above activity in a DEA airplane piloted by Agent Hindes, left the area at dark, at which time the two ground vehicles and two airplanes were parked together on the airstrip.
Shortly before dawn on October 2, 1974, Sye and Hindes returned to the airstrip in the DEA airplane, finding that the ground vehicles were still there, but that the airplanes had departed. They returned to the area around noon, observing that the ground vehicles also had departed. Later that day, both ground vehicles were seen together in the same general area and later, at the airstrip. Shortly after 5:00 p. m., both vehicles had stationed themselves.
The camper had proceeded to Galway Dry Lake, while the station wagon-trailer was parked at the airstrip. The DEA airplane containing Agent Sye shuttled between Galway Dry Lake and the airstrip, keeping both vehicles under surveillance while ground units moved into the area. Just prior to 5:15 p. m., one of the airplanes landed at the airstrip and met the station wagon-trailer. In less than twenty minutes, the aircraft and ground vehicle had separated, the airplane taking off to the west and the ground vehicle leaving the airstrip. After Agent Sye identified the airplane as one of the planes which he had observed the previous day, he instructed Agent Shaw by radio to stop and search the station wagon-trailer. Upon stopping the vehicle which Defendant Bourchier was driving as its sole occupant, Shaw looked in the trailer from outside. He saw several full burlap bags and some gas cans. He thereupon searched the vehicle and found ten bags of a substance which appeared to be marijuana and nine empty gas cans. The results of the stop and search were transmitted to Agent Sye, who arrested Defendants Hong and Neil Lee Temple when they landed at the El Monte Airport.
While the arrests of the occupants of the station wagon-trailer and the aircraft were occurring, the camper was still waiting at Galway Dry Lake under the surveillance of Agent Gribble. As it became dark, Agent Gribble radioed to Agent Roberts that an airplane was circling over the camper and the camper was flashing its headlights, but that he could not determine whether or not the airplane had landed. While Roberts and others were proceeding toward Galway Dry Lake in response to Gribble’s prior transmission, Gribble radioed that the camper was leaving and heading toward them. Roberts and the others then established a roadblock. When the camper approached, the agents activated a red light and siren. The camper, however, did not stop, but rather attempted to run through the roadblock. A warning shot brought the vehicle to a stop. The occupants of the camper were Defendant Walker, the driver, and Defendant Jenkins. In the vehicle, the [999]*999agents found a fully automatic carbine, four airplane seats that came from one of the planes, and a number of red gas cans.
Since the other airplane had not been located yet, Deputy Stoops and his partner, Deputy Lopez, drove to Soggy Dry Lake where it appeared that the camper had been heading before it was stopped. Upon arriving at the Lake, they heard an airplane. The officers flashed the headlights of their vehicle as the camper had previously done. An airplane landed and taxied toward them. After the plane’s engine had been shut off, Deputy Stoops alighted from his vehicle with gun drawn and ordered the Defendants in the plane, Defendants Prueitt and Petersen, to exit. Other agents were notified, and Agent Roberts arrived shortly thereafter. Roberts proceeded to search the plane, during which he found seven burlap bags full of marijuana and seven red fuel cans. A fuel system identical to the one found in the station wagon-trailer was also discovered during the search. An air chart of the Northern Gulf of California area of Mexico was also found with a hand-marked course line showing it was intended for use in navigating by plane from the area of Imperial, California, to Los Mochis Sinaloa, Mexico, and back to the Soggy Dry Lake area. In both airplanes, agents found as well identical Los Angeles and San Diego sectional air charts with identical handwritten notations indicating that they were intended for use in flying to the Soggy Dry Lake area. The marijuana recovered was packaged in traditional Mexican packaging. The auxiliary fuel systems were necessary to extend the range of the two airplanes to reach Los Mochis.
II Conviction and Sentence
All Defendants were indicted in the Southern District of California on three counts. The first count charged them with unlawfully, willfully, and knowingly combining, conspiring, confederating, and agreeing together, and with each other, to commit offenses in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1), 952, and 960. The second count charged the Defendants with knowingly and intentionally importing approximately 900 pounds of marijuana into the United States from Mexico. The third count charged them with knowingly and intentionally possessing with intent to distribute approximately 900 pounds of marijuana. In a trial without jury, the Defendants were all acquitted as to counts two and three, but were found guilty as to count one. On appeal, Defendants contend that their convictions as to count one should be reversed. This Court has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1291.
Ill “Authorized Attorney for Government”
The first issue which appellants raise is that the indictment in the present case was not obtained by an authorized attorney for the government as is required by statute, and was, therefore, void. The relevant statutes here are 28 U.S.C. 547, 28 U.S.C. 515(a), and Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 6(d) and 54(c). The duties of the United States Attorney are contained in 28 U.S.C. 547, which provides in part:
Except as otherwise provided by law, each United States attorney, within his district, shall—
(1) prosecute for all offenses against the United States;
(2) prosecute or defend, for the Government, all civil actions, suits or proceedings in which the United States is concerned;
As defined by Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 6(d), only “[ajttorneys for the government . . . may be present while the grand jury is in session . .” Rule 54(c) states that an “ ‘Attorney for the government’ means the Attorney General, an authorized assistant of the Attorney General, a United States Attorney, [and] an authorized assistant of a United States Attorney . . .
The indictment in the present case was obtained by James W. Brannigan, Jr., who is an attorney for the Department of Justice, Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section. In order for Mr. Brannigan to have validly procured the indictment, it is clear that he must have been an “attorney for [1000]*1000the government” within Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 6(d). The government contends that Brannigan has this authority by virtue of 28 U.S.C. 515(a), which states:
The Attorney General or any other officer of the Department of Justice, or any attorney specially appointed by the Attorney General under law, may, when specifically directed by the Attorney General, conduct any kind of legal proceeding, civil or criminal, including grand jury proceedings and proceedings before committing magistrates, which United States attorneys are authorized by law to conduct, whether or not he is a resident of the district in which the proceeding is brought, (emphasis added).
Thus, it is clear that for Brannigan to have been an attorney for the government here, two requirements must have been satisfied. First, he must have been “specially appointed by the Attorney General.” Second, he must have been “specifically directed by the Attorney General [to] conduct any kind of legal proceedings, civil or criminal, including grand jury proceedings." (emphasis added).
The government argues that the above requirements were satisfied when Deputy Attorney General Richard Kleindienst issued a letter of authorization to Brannigan. It is unclear whether this authorization was actually signed by Mr. Kleindienst or was issued by way of a “stamp” representing his signature. The letter provided in pertinent part:
As an attorney and counselor at law you are hereby specially retained and appointed as a Special Attorney under the authority of the Department of Justice to assist in the trial of the case or cases growing out of the transactions hereinafter mentioned in which the Government is interested. In that connection you are specifically directed to file informations and to conduct in the Southern District of California and in any other judicial district where the jurisdiction thereof lies any kind of legal proceeding, civil or criminal, including grand jury proceedings, and proceedings before committing magistrates, which United States Attorneys are authorized by law to conduct.
The department is informed that various persons, companies, corporations, firms, associations, and organizations to the Department unknown have violated in the above-named district and in other judicial districts the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 801-966) and other criminal laws of the United States and have conspired to commit all such offenses in violation of Section 371 of Title 18 of the United States Code, (emphasis added).
We note that the authorization letter was issued by the Deputy Attorney General rather than the Attorney General. The issue is not raised that the Attorney General is without authority to delegate his power to assign government attorneys. Even if it were raised, however, such a contention would be without merit. Section 515(a) imposes no limitation on the Attorney General’s authority to delegate his power of appointment to other officers within the Department of Justice. See United States v. Crispino, 392 F.Supp. 764, 766-67 (S.D.N.Y. 1975). But note Reversed by an unpublished opinion 517 F.2d 1395 (2d Cir., 1975). Furthermore, Section 510 of Title 28 permits the Attorney General to delegate any of his functions to “any other officer” of the Department of Justice. See In Re Subpoena of Pérsico, 522 F.2d 41, 66-67 (2d Cir. 1975). By regulation, 28 C.F.R. 0.15(b)(3), the Deputy Attorney General shall “[e]xercise the power and authority vested in the Attorney General to take final action in matters pertaining to . : (ii) the appointment of . other attorneys to assist U.S. Attorneys when the public interest so requires . .” We, therefore, conclude that Deputy Attorney General Kleindienst had the authority, under 28 U.S.C. 515(a), to issue the authorization letter to Mr. Brannigan.
The validity of the authorization letter here at issue is not a novel question in the [1001]*1001federal courts.1 As stated above, in order for Brannigan to have been an attorney authorized to appear before a grand jury, the government must have satisfied two requirements: (1) Brannigan must have been specially appointed by the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General, and (2) he must have been specifically directed by the [Deputy] Attorney General to conduct grand jury proceedings. In confronting this very question, the Second Circuit noted that “[a]lmost every case which has interpreted 28 U.S.C. Sec. 515(a) favors the government.” In Re Subpoena of Persico, supra, 522 F.2d at 61.
When determining whether such broad authorization letters as here in question satisfy the above two requirements, the courts have had little difficulty in holding that the first requirement is satisfied. See, e. g., United States v. Weiner, 392 F.Supp. 81, 86 (N.D.Ill.1975); United States v. Brown, 389 F.Supp. 959, 960 (S.D.N.Y.1975). In fact, some courts have assumed, without discussion, that the “specially appointed” requirement has been satisfied by the authorization letter. See, e. g., United States v. Di Girlomo, 393 F.Supp. 997, 1004-05 (W.D.Mo.1975); United States v. Brodson, 390 F.Supp. 774, 783 (E.D.Wis.1975). Here, the letter provided that Brannigan was “specially retained and appointed as a Special Attorney under the authority of the Department of Justice . . .” We be[1002]*1002lieve that this language satisfies the “any attorney specially appointed by the Attorney General under law” requirement law” requirement of Section 515(a).
The more serious and complex question is whether Brannigan, within the meaning of Section 515(a), was “specifically directed by the Attorney General” to present this case to the grand jury. The majority of courts, which have considered whether broad authorization letters such as here satisfy the “specifically directed” requirement, have held that such letters comply with the statute. There is, however, a minority view, holding that such broad letters do not fulfill the requirements of the statute. This minority view is represented by a district court’s ruling in United States v. Crispino, 392 F.Supp. 764, 779-81 (S.D.N.Y.), rev’d, 517 F.2d 1395 (2nd Cir. 1975), where the district court stated:
“Undoubtedly, the Attorney General of the United States has a serious and difficult responsibility in combating ‘organized crime.’ If he feels that the local United States Attorneys and their regular assistants cannot be as effective in the prosecution of ‘organized crime’ cases as special attorneys, then he should be able to appoint special attorneys with particular knowledge and skill to prosecute those cases and present them to the grand jury. That is precisely why Congress passed what is now Section 515(a). But that power is limited to such specialized areas as cases against ‘organized crime’ and was never meant to extend to the prosecution of any case which involved a violation of ‘a federal criminal statute.’ If the Attorney General felt that the commissions to his special attorneys would be unduly restrictive if they were limited to ‘organized crime cases’ or ‘Lands Division cases,’ etc., then he should have asked Congress to amend section 515(a). He has no authority to issue a broad roving commission such as the one given to Mr. Padgett with its complete lack of any specific direction.” (footnotes omitted). See United States v. Wrigley, 392 F.Supp. 9, 12-13 (W.D.Mo.1975).
Contrary to the district court’s decision in Crispino, the majority of courts have upheld broad letters of authorization. In fact, some courts have stated that the “specifically directed” requirement is primarily for the protection of the United States. See Shushan v. United States, 117 F.2d 110, 114 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 313 U.S. 574, 61 S.Ct. 1085, 85 L.Ed. 1531, reh. denied, 314 U.S. 706, 62 S.Ct. 53, 86 L.Ed. 564 (1941); United States v. Powell, 81 F.Supp. 288, 291 (E.D. Mo.1948). In rejecting the district court’s rationale in Crispino, the Second Circuit recently asserted: “The ‘specifically directed’ phrase in Section 515(a) should not be so niggardly construed as to interfere with the federal government’s ability to efficiently administer its criminal laws.” In Re Subpoena of Pérsico, supra, 522 F.2d at 64. The Second Circuit emphasized that the statute must be interpreted in a commonsense and pragmatic manner. Id. at 64-65. A recent decision of this Circuit is in agreement with the Second Circuit’s approach. See United States v. Zuber, 528 F.2d 981, 982 (9th Cir. 1976). In addition, several district courts have held that “Congress has by vesting the Attorney General with the power and responsibility over the enforcement of the criminal laws of the United States, evidenced an intent to empower him to make the broad Section 515 appointments of the type here challenged.” United States v. Di Girlomo, 393 F.Supp. 997, 1006 (W.D.Mo.1975); Accord, In Re Di Piero, 394 F.Supp. 1350, 1353 (E.D.Pa.1975); United States v. Badalamenti, 394 F.Supp. 807, 815 (D.N.J.1975); United States v. Weiner, 392 F.Supp. 81, 88 (N.D.Ill.1975); United States v. Brodson, 390 F.Supp. 774, 783 (E.D.Wis.1975); United States v. Brown, 389 F.Supp. 959, 963 (S.D.N.Y.1975). Or, as stated by the district court in Badalamenti, supra, 394 F.Supp. at 815: “As the legislative history indicates, the Congress in enacting the statute which has now become Sec. 515(a) was attempting to expand the authority of the Attorney General to comprehensively and effectively combat crime and to make certain that the Attorney Gen[1003]*1003eral and those under his direction were empowered to conduct any criminal or civil proceedings which United States Attorneys were authorized to conduct.”
As the courts espousing the majority view recognize, the philosophy and methods of law enforcement have changed in recent years. See United States v. Badalamenti, supra, 394 F.Supp. at 815-17. The concept of appointing a Special Attorney for a particular case [see, e. g., United States v. Amazon Industrial Chemical Corporation, 55 F.2d 254 (D.Md.1931); United States v. Huston, 28 F.2d 451 (N.D.Ohio 1928); United States v. Morse, 292 F. 273 (S.D.N.Y. 1922)], is no longer viable in attempting to battle the preponderance of organized crime and lawlessness within our society. See United States v. Brown, supra, 389 F.Supp. at 961.
Unlike many of the recently decided cases discussed above, here Mr. Brannigan was not a member of the Strike Force but rather an attorney for the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section of the Department of Justice. His duties, however, were similar to a Strike Force attorney and his letter of authorization was practically identical. Brannigan’s letter, although general for the most part, specifically mentions the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act. The implication of this language is that Brannigan would prosecute those individuals who violated the above acts. As such, his duties encompassed combating and eradicating the danger of organized crime. We, therefore, in this case decline to distinguish the duties assigned to Brannigan from those of a Strike Force attorney.
In interpreting Section 515(a) in view of present day realities, we hold that the issuance of the letter of authorization in this case satisfied the “specifically directed” requirement of the statute. In zarriving at this conclusion, we are guided by our answers to three basic questions: (1) What constitutional rights were the appellants denied by Mr. Brannigan’s presence before the grand jury? (2) What disadvantage did the appellants suffer due to Mr. Brannigan’s appearance? (3) Would not the appellants be situated in the identical position had the local United States Attorney secured the indictment before the grand jury? Our prior discussion clearly indicates that appellants’ argument is based on form rather than substance. See United States v. Weiner, 392 F.Supp. 81, 89 (N.D.Ill.1975). Mr. Brannigan’s authority “to execute his oath of office should not depend upon what type of form letter his superior uses in appointing him.” Id. Since Section 515(a) does not confine its application to particular types of cases or defendants, this Court believes that it is appropriate to construe the statute in such a manner so as to implement the public policies for which it was enacted. Such an appropriate construction is to uphold the broad grant of authority given to Brannigan here. A contrary result would not only be against the impressive weight of authority but would also be deleterious to the current needs of law enforcement. We, therefore, conclude that the indictment in the present case was obtained by “an authorized attorney for the government,” as is required by statute.
IV Disclosure of Informant’s Identity
Appellants’ second contention is that the district court erred in refusing to order disclosure of the informant and in limiting cross-examination on that subject. In determining whether the District Judge ruled properly, we note that “the government’s privilege to withhold an informer’s identity must give way where his identity is ‘relevant and helpful to the defense of the accused, or is essential to a fair determination’ of his case.” United States v. Kelly, 449 F.2d 329, 330 (9th Cir. 1971), citing, Roviaro v. United States, 353 U.S. 53, 60-61, 77 S.Ct. 623, 1 L.Ed.2d 639 (1957). However, “[m]ere speculation that the informer might possibly be of some assistance is not sufficient to overcome the public interest in the protection of the informer.” Lannom v. United States, 381 F.2d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1967) cert. denied, 389 U.S. 1041, 88 S.Ct. 784, 19 L.Ed.2d 833 (1968). In attempting to balance the government’s interest in non[1004]*1004disclosure against the defendant’s interest in preparing his case, our most recent decisions have placed the burden upon the accused to show the need for disclosure. See United States v. Kelly, supra, 449 F.2d at 330; United States v. Estrada, 441 F.2d 873, 879 (9th Cir. 1971); Gaylor v. United States, 426 F.2d 233, 234-35 (9th Cir. 1970). Applying these principles to the facts before us, we observe that the appellants have shown no real need for disclosure of the informant which would override the government’s interest in protecting him as a source of information. Defendants merely speculate that the informant’s testimony may have been helpful to their defense. Such speculation is not sufficient to require disclosure.2 The District Judge therefore did not abuse his discretion in refusing to order the informant’s disclosure and in limiting cross-examination on that subject.
V Motions to Suppress
Appellants’ third contention is that their motions to suppress the evidence seized from their vehicles were improperly denied. In considering this contention, we must first determine whether the defendants here have standing to contest these searches and seizures. Brown v. United States, 411 U.S. 223, 93 S.Ct. 1565, 36 L.Ed.2d 208 (1973), establishes the applicable guidelines:
[Tjhere is no standing to contest a search and seizure where, as here, the defendants: (a) were not on the premises at the time of the contested search and seizure; (b) alleged no proprietary or possessory interest in the premises; and (c) were not charged with an offense that includes, as an essential element of the offense charged, possession of the seized evidence at the time of the contested search and seizure.
Id. at 229, 93 S.Ct. at 1569; see United States v. Kahan, 415 U.S. 239, 242, 94 S.Ct. 1179, 39 L.Ed.2d 297 (1974); United States v. Calandra, 414 U.S. 338, 348, 94 S.Ct. 613, 38 L.Ed.2d 561 (1974); United States v. Colacurcio, 499 F.2d 1401, 1406 (9th Cir. 1974); United States v. Ramirez, 480 F.2d 76, 79 (9th Cir. 1973).
Because appellants were acquitted as to counts two and three of the indictment, our determination on this issue is limited to whether appellants have standing under count one to contest the searches and seizures. United States v. Boston, 510 F.2d 35, 37 (9th Cir. 1974), cert. denied, 421 U.S. 990, 95 S.Ct. 1994, 44 L.Ed.2d 480 (1975). We note that count one does not charge appellants with possession of the seized evidence as an essential element of the offense charged, but rather with conspiring to commit certain offenses. Because possession is not a crucial element here, “[t]he vice of allowing the Government to allege possession as part of the crime charged, and yet deny that there was possession sufficient for standing purposes, is not present.” Brown v. United States, supra, 411 U.S. at 229, 93 S.Ct. at 1569.3 Therefore, appellants do not have automatic standing under Brown since “possession at the time of the search is not an essential element of the crime charged.” United States v. Boston, supra, 510 F.2d at 38.
To have standing to contest the searches and seizures here in question, the appellants must therefore demonstrate actual standing. This could have been accomplished by the appellants’ asserting during their motion to suppress a proprietary interest in the premises searched or a possessory [1005]*1005interest in the articles seized. See Brown v. United States, supra, 411 U.S. at 229, 93 S.Ct. 1565. If the appellants had made such an assertion, it is clear that such a statement could not thereafter be admitted against them at trial on the question of guilt unless they had made no objection. Simmons v. United States, 390 U.S. 377, 394, 88 S.Ct. 967, 19 L.Ed.2d 1247 (1968). This showing in support of actual standing must be established by the appellants, and is not to be assumed. As this Court stated in United States v. Boston, supra, 510 F.2d at 38:
We now know the truth to be that appellant at the time of seizure did in fact claim as his the heroin seized. It was on that basis that he was convicted. But truth as it emerges from trial cannot reach backward to confer standing to move to suppress. Rather it is the showing made by the defendant at the time he moves to suppress that counts. He must then show that at the time of seizure he had a possessory interest in that which he seeks to suppress. Should he, in support of a motion to suppress, concede such an interest in order to establish “actual standing,” his concession, as we have noted, cannot now be used against him at trial. . . . But it is a concession that must be made. Neither jury verdict nor governmental contention can serve to relieve the defendant of his burden in those cases where automatic standing does not serve to relieve him.
The record indicates that only one defendant, Robert Lee Prueitt, asserted a possessory interest over the evidence seized at the motion to suppress (R.T. 226). Later, Prueitt filed an affidavit that “at the time of seizure of the marijuana that I had a possessory interest in said marijuana and dominion and control over the same.” (C.T. 171-72). The other defendants failed to allege a possessory interest in that which they sought to suppress. It was imperative that this concession be made. By failing to meet this burden, all defendants except Prueitt do not have actual standing.
Prueitt contends that the searches and seizures here were without probable cause and, therefore, such evidence seized should have been suppressed. We note that although the informant in this case was previously untested, the law is clear that an informant’s reliability can be verified on reasons other than past reliability. See Spinelli v. United States, 393 U.S. 410, 417-18, 89 S.Ct. 584, 21 L.Ed.2d 637 (1969). Such grounds include the reasonableness of the informant’s access to accurate information regarding the suspect, independent corroboration of the informant’s tip, and independent investigation including the probability, apart from the informant’s tip, that the suspect possessed contraband. See Spinelli v. United States, supra, 393 U.S. at 417, 89 S.Ct. 584; United States v. Smith, 503 F.2d 1037, 1039 — 40 (9th Cir. 1974), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1124, 95 S.Ct. 810, 42 L.Ed.2d 825 (1975).
In determining whether to uphold the initial search and seizure, that of the station wagon-trailer, we find that the law enforcement officers had verified substantially everything that the informant had related except the presence of the contraband and the preparation of the airplanes (e. g., removal of seats and installation of extra gas tanks) and their actual flights to Mexico. “This verification of the informer’s story provided a ‘substantial basis’ for concluding that the informer was reliable.” United States v. Archuleta, 446 F.2d 518, 519-20 (9th Cir. 1971); see Gilbert v. United States, 366 F.2d 923, 931 (9th Cir. 1966). Although it is true that the tip did not include the underlying circumstances from which the informant concluded that the criminal conduct would occur, the predicted conduct “was described in such detail, however, that a magistrate would have been justified in concluding that the informer had obtained his information in a reliable manner.” United States v. Archuleta, supra, 446 F.2d at 520; see Spinelii v. United States, supra, 393 U.S. at 417, 89 S.Ct. 584. We therefore conclude that the officers had probable cause to make the initial search and seizure here at issue.
[1006]*1006We also note that Agent Sye’s experience in having investigated similar cases for five years and, particularly this exact method of smuggling, augmented his probable cause. Thus, “the totality of the evidence, to an experienced border agent familiar with the methods employed by smugglers, did establish probable cause to believe [that the appellant’s vehicle contained contraband].” United States v. Patterson, 492 F.2d 995, 997 (9th Cir. 1974).
Because the valid search of the station wagon-trailer revealed marijuana, the informant’s information was independently corroborated and the agents then had probable cause to arrest the other suspects associated with the venture. The subsequent arrests and searches incident thereto were constitutionally permissible. See United States v. See, 505 F.2d 845, 855 (9th Cir. 1974), cert. denied, 420 U.S. 992, 95 S.Ct. 1428, 43 L.Ed.2d 673 (1975); United States v. Westover, 511 F.2d 1154, 1155-56 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 422 U.S. 1009, 95 S.Ct. 2633, 45 L.Ed.2d 673 (1975). We therefore conclude that the District Judge properly denied the appellants’ motions to suppress the evidence seized from their vehicles.
VI Venue
Next, appellants contend that venue was improperly laid in the Southern District of California over the conspiracy count. “[T]he law is that an overt act committed in the course of a conspiracy which occurs in a district gives rise to jurisdiction to prosecute the conspirators in that district.” United States v. Barnard, 490 F.2d 907, 910 (9th Cir. 1973), cert. denied, 416 U.S. 959, 94 S.Ct. 1976, 40 L.Ed.2d 310 (1974). Further, “venue need be proved only by a preponderance of the evidence, and can be established either directly or circumstantially.” United States v. Powell, 498 F.2d 890, 891 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 866, 95 S.Ct. 121, 42 L.Ed.2d 103 (1974). In United States v. Trenary, 473 F.2d 680, 682 (9th Cir. 1973), this Court concluded that in determining whether venue was properly laid “[j]udicial notice may be taken of a map of the area and, considering the time factor, the distance covered, and the probable source of the marijuana . . .”
Applying the above principles to the facts of this case, we hold that venue in the Southern District of California was established by a preponderance of the evidence. The maps, writing on the maps, course lines drawn on the maps, the printing on the sack, and the appearance of the packaging of the marijuana, sufficiently prove by reasonable inferences that there was an overflight over the Southern District which satisfies the venue requirements for this particular case. See United States v. Barnard, supra, 490 F.2d at 910-12; R.T. 319.
VII Acquittal on Substantive Counts
Appellants’ final argument is that the acquittals on the substantive counts require reversal of their convictions as to count one of the indictment which charged them with a conspiracy to import and possess marijuana with intent to distribute it. Contrary to appellants, we do not find the verdicts inconsistent. Although the government may have failed to meet its burden of proof in showing that the appellants were guilty of the substantive counts, it proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the appellants conspired and joined together in a venture to accomplish that which is illegal.
Having considered all issues which have been raised by appellants on appeal, the judgment of the District Court is AFFIRMED.