Facts:

• Narciso Agulay y Lopez was charged with the illegal sale and possession of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).
• The charges stemmed from a buy-bust operation on August 24, 2002, in Quezon City.
• An informant reported that a person named "Sing" was selling shabu in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Novaliches, Quezon City.
• A police team was formed, with PO2 Raul Herrera acting as the poseur-buyer.
• Herrera purchased shabu from Agulay using a marked P100 bill.
• Upon the pre-arranged signal, the police arrested Agulay and recovered additional sachets of shabu from his pocket.
• The seized items were submitted to the PNP Crime Laboratory, which confirmed they were shabu.
• Agulay was charged and found guilty by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City, Branch 103.
• He was sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of P500,000.
• The Court of Appeals affirmed the RTC's decision.
• Agulay appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that his arrest was illegal and that the prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Issue:

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Ruling:

1. The Supreme Court ruled that the arrest of Narciso Agulay y Lopez was legal and that the sachets of shabu recovered from him were admissible as evidence.
2. The Court found that the prosecution had proven Agulay's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
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Ratio:

• The Supreme Court upheld the legality of the buy-bust operation, stating it was a valid form of entrapment and did not require a warrant.
• The Court emphasized the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties by the police officers, as there was no evidence of bad faith or ill motive.
• The integrity and evidentiary value of the seized items were preserved, despite the defense's claims of non-compliance with procedural requirements under Section 21 of Republ...continue reading