The physical inventory and photograph-taking in the chain of custody in drugs cases must be done immediately at the place of arrest, the Supreme Court reiterated as it acquitted two men initially convicted by a lower court for drug possession in 2012. They were charged in 2012 following a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). ADVERTISEMENTIn a statement summarizing the decision, the Supreme Court said during the operation, the PDEA agents marked the seized plastic sachets containing methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” at the crime scene. The Regional Trial Court convicted Almayda and Quiogue, and the ruling was affirmed by the Court of Appeals. In a resolution dated Nov. 11, 2021, the high court affirmed the conviction, prompting Almayda and Quiogue to file a motion for reconsideration.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 20, 2023 22:16 UTC