Dear PAO,

My classmate told me that his cousin was being investigated for allegedly possessing illegal drugs. He said that there was no barangay (village) official who was present at the time the arresting officers were doing the inventory. My classmate is not sure of the other facts, but I just want to know whether the absence of said official invalidates the investigation.

Pinky

Dear Pinky,

Republic Act 10640, which amended Section 21 of Republic Act 9165, provides for the standard on how the movement and custody of the seized drug shall be carried out. It specifically states: