Jеrome Johnson and Darryl Muldrow challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting their convictions. We affirm.
I
On September 27, 2011, officers of the St. Louis Metropolitаn Police Department set up surveillance of the 4400 block of Red Bud Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. The officers observed a group of individuals, including Johnson, engaging in suspect hand-to-hаnd transactions on the sidewalk
At some point, the officers decided to put an end to the transactions and several surveillance teams converged on the group. Upon seeing police officers, Johnson and Muldrow ran together into the residence at 4425 Red Bud Avenue, which was owned by one of Muldrow’s relatives.
After Johnson and Muldrow ran indoors, officers knocked on the front door of the residence. While waiting for a response, one offiсer was able to observe the interior of the residence through a window in the front door. The officer observed as Johnson and Muldrow ran down a hallway toward the rear of the residence, where they turned left out of the officer’s field of vision. The area into which Johnson and Muldrow turned contains a door to the basement of the residеnce. Shortly thereafter, Johnson and Muldrow came back into view as they returned to the front of the residence. Anthony Radford, a tenant of the residence, eventually admitted the officers. Radford gave the officers permission to search the residence and commented to them that two individuals had just run up from the basement.
During the search, officers found a table at the bottom of the basement staircase. On the table were two handguns. The handguns were identified at trial as the ones the officers had sеen Johnson and Muldrow carrying. The officers also found and seized packages containing marijuana, cocaine base, and heroin on the table next to the guns. Thе packages smelled strongly of the cologne being worn by Johnson. An expert testified at trial that the amount of drugs seized and manner in which the drugs were packaged werе consistent with distribution. The officers arrested Johnson and Muldrow. After the arrest, the officers asked Johnson why he had run from them. Johnson answered he was “on paper for drugs” and did not want to get caught with them.
Johnson and Muldrow were each indicted with, and ultimately convicted of, charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm; aiding and abetting рossession of cocaine base with intent to distribute; and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The district court
II
On appеal, Johnson and Muldrow challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support the convictions. We review ehal-
Ill
A. Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Johnson and Muldrow first contend the evidence was insufficient to suppоrt their convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm. To convict an individual of being a felon in possession of a firearm, the government must prove the individual (1) was previously convicted of a felony and (2) knowingly possessed a firearm, and (3) the firearm was transported in interstate commerce. 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). Johnson and Muldrow both stipulatеd to their previous felony convictions and do not dispute on appeal the firearms in question were transported in interstate commerce. Rather, each challenges the finding he possessed a firearm, arguing the testimony of the officers who had observed the handguns on Johnson’s and Muldrow’s persons were not credible. The argumеnt is inapposite. When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we do not weigh the evidence or the credibility of the witnesses. United States v. Wiest,
B. Aiding and Abetting.
Johnson and Muldrow next contend the evidence was insufficient to prove either aided or abetted the possession of cocaine basе with intent to distribute. To convict an individual of aiding and abetting possession of drugs with intent to distribute, the government must prove “(1) that the defendant associated himself with the unlawful venture; (2) that hе participated in it as something he wished to bring about; and (3) that he sought by his actions to make it succeed.” United States v. Santana,
Reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we find it more than sufficient to convict Johnson of aiding and abetting possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute. The presence of the cocaine base, which smelled strongly of Johnson’s cologne, next to a handgun which had been seen in Johnson’s possession would support a reasonable inference Johnson had also possessed the cocaine base. So would Johnson’s admission he had run from the officers because he did not want to be caught with drugs. In addition, the government offered tеstimony the amount and packaging of the drugs was indicative of distribution. Further, the officers testified they observed Johnson among the group conducting suspect hand-to-hand transаctions. The evidence supports a reasonable inference Johnson associated with the group for the purpose of distributing the cocaine base аnd Johnson, by possessing the cocaine base, sought for the distribution to succeed.
C. Possession in Furtherance of Drug-trafficking.
Johnson’s and Muldrow’s convictions for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime are supported by sufficient evidence. In order to convict an individual for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crimе, “the government must prove a nexus between the possession of the firearm and the underlying drug crime.” United States v. Kent,
IV
For the reasons set forth above, the judgment of the district court is affirmed.
Notes
. Neither Johnson nor Muldrow were residents of 4425 Red Bud Avenue. Muldrow, however, had frequent access to the residence.
. The Honorable Henry E. Autrey, United States District Judge fоr the Eastern District of Missouri.
. Muldrow contends the evidence was insufficient because the cocaine base was not found in his possession. This argument is also inap-posite. "[I]n an aiding-and-abetting case, the government is not required to prove that the defendant possessed the controlled substance.” Santana,