Facts:

• Ariel Calvelo y Consada was charged with violating Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) for selling methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).
• The incident occurred on November 26, 2005, at Traveller's Inn in Barangay Pagsawitan, Santa Cruz, Laguna.
• Ariel was accused of selling three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing a total weight of 14.07 grams of shabu to a poseur buyer in exchange for marked money.
• Ariel pleaded not guilty and a trial on the merits ensued.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeals, affirming the conviction of Ariel Calvelo y Consada.
• The court ruled that the elements of violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 had been proven beyond reasonable doubt.
• The court found that the prosecution was able to establish the identity of Ariel as the drug dealer and the manner in which the illegal sale took place.
• The court also found that there was an unbroken chain of custody over the seized drugs, as the prosecution was able to account for each link in the chain of custody from the moment of seizure up to its presentation in court as evidence.
• The court emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized drugs in order to ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The elements of violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 must be proven beyond reasonable doubt, including the identity of the buyer and seller, the object and consideration, and the delivery of the drugs and payment.
• The testimony of the poseur buyer and other police officers involved in the buy-bust operation can establish the identity of the seller and the details of the transaction, even if the informant is not presented...continue reading