United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT February 18, 2004

Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 02-40233 Conference Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

versus

SALVADOR ZAMORA-QUINTANILLA,

Defendant-Appellant.

-------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. L-00-CR-937-8 --------------------

Before HIGGINBOTHAM, EMILIO M. GARZA, and PRADO, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

Salvador Zamora-Quintanilla appeals his guilty plea

conviction and sentence for conspiracy to possess with intent to

distribute more than ten kilograms of cocaine in violation of

, 841(a)(1). He argues that

is

unconstitutional in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey,

(2000). Zamora-Quintanilla concedes that this court rejected his

argument in United States v. Slaughter,

, 582 (5th

Cir. 2000), but asserts that he is raising it to preserve it for

* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4. No. 02-40233 -2-

Supreme Court review. As the argument is foreclosed by circuit

precedent, the judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.