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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC orders immediate destruction of seized dangerous drugs

SC orders immediate destruction of seized dangerous drugs

Published Jul 15, 2020 04:34 pm

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered Regional Trial Court (RTC) judges handling illegal drugs cases to immediately conduct an inspection and thereafter order the destruction of the seized or surrendered dangerous drugs particularly those weighing five kilos or more.

(MANILA BULLETIN)

The order was issued after Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez was informed by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Gen. Archie Francisco F. Gamboa that seized or surrendered dangerous drugs remain in the custody of enforcement agents due to the delayed issuance of court orders for their destruction.

In a circular issued last July 15, Marquez said RTC judges are mandated under the Dangerous Drugs Act to conduct inspection of the seized dangerous drugs within 72 hours from the filing of a criminal complaint in court and to issue a destruction order within 24 hours after the ocular inspection.

“In cases where the seized dangerous drugs are physically brought to the court, the court shall issue the order of destruction thereof within 24 hours therefrom,” Marquez said.

He also said in the circular:

“Courts with pending drugs cases where the seized dangerous drugs amount to more than five kilograms, which have not yet conducted the necessary ocular inspection of the seized drugs and issued orders for their destruction shall immediately conduct the ocular inspection and within 24 hours therefrom, issue the destruction orders after retaining the required representative samples thereof.”

 Section 21(4) of the Dangerous Drugs Act under Republic Act No. 9165 states:

 “After the filing of a criminal case, the court shall, within 72 hours, conduct an ocular inspection of the confiscated, seized, and or surrendered dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, and controlled precursors and essential chemicals, including  the instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment, and through the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency shall within 24 hours thereafter proceed with the destruction or burning of the same, in the presence of the accused or the person/s from whom such items were confiscated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel, a representative from the media and the Department of Justice, civil society groups and any elected official… provided that a representative sample, duly weighed and recorded is retained.”

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