Charlie Cater was convicted of trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. He was sentenced as a recidivist to 30 years with 12 years to serve. Cater appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress and erred in finding that he received effective assistance of counsel. Finding these arguments to be without merit, we affirm. 1. Cater first argues that the trial court should have granted his motion to suppress because the evidence was obtained by police while conducting an illegal roadblock. “In reviewing a trial court’s decision on a motion to suppress, our responsibility is to ensure that there was a substantial basis for its decision. Since the trial court sits as the trier of facts, its findings will not be disturbed if there is any evidence to support them.” Citations and footnotes omitted. Cook v. State , 265 Ga. App. 491 1 594 SE2d 708 2004.
The evidence presented at the hearing on the motion to suppress showed that members of the DeKalb County Police strike force executed a search warrant on a residence and began securing the surrounding area. Once the area was secured, the strike team supervisor instructed a lieutenant to set up a roadblock or “safety check” near the residence to check for drivers’ licenses, seat belts, and vehicle registrations. Cater was stopped at the roadblock and an officer asked him for his license and insurance. When Cater moved to retrieve this information, the officer noticed marijuana seeds and stems on the floorboard. The officer asked Cater to step out of the vehicle and then summoned a drug sniffing dog. The dog twice alerted to the presence of drugs on the driver’s door. Once inside the vehicle, the dog alerted near the center console. The officer pulled back a loose panel under the dashboard where he discovered empty sandwich bags, a scale, and plastic bags containing what appeared to be marijuana and cocaine. In a search incident to Cater’s arrest, officers found more than $500 in cash in Cater’s pocket.
