Problem
Way back in 1994, young patrol officer and his partner responded to call of suspicious persons loitering behind an automotive repair shop in Sacramento at about 2am. As officer they arrived on scene, several girls began walking away, leaving two male subjects standing near a vehicle. There was a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Officer A partner contacted and detained the two male subjects. As officer A approached the driver's side of the car and opened the door to follow the scent, he observed large bags of marijuana located inside of a clear plastic storage box in the back seat. This observation occurred just as the door was opened.
Officer A and his partner confiscated 7 pounds of packaged marijuana and a 1.5-pound piece of methamphetamine. Both suspects were booked on felony drug charges.
Was this a good search by Officer A? Explain why or why not and what could have been done to improve this case.