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This article discusses the dangerous drugs listed in the schedules of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and 1971 Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances. It also provides information on evidence handling in drug-related prosecutions, including drug seizures, photographs, court processes, documents, investigative records, and field tests.
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I. The Evidence Dangerous drugs include those listed in the Schedules annexed to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and in the Schedules annexed to the 1971 Single Convention on Psychotropic Substances as enumerated in the attached annex which is an integral part of RA 9165.
Most common dangerous drugs, include: a. Opiates (Opium and its derivatives) -“Opium” -Morphine come in various forms: Powder Block Licit Morphine -Heroin
b. Cocaine (Methyl BenzoylEcgonine) Cocaine is an alkaloid obtained from the leaves of Erythroxylon coca Lamarch and the other species of ErthroxylonLinne, or by synthesis from ecgonine and its derivatives. -History -Preparation -Solubility -Uses
c. Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) Cannabis or commonly known as “Marijuana” or “Indian Hemp” or by its any other name embraces every kind, class, genus, or specie or the plant Cannabis Sativa including, but not limited to, Cannabis Americana, hashish, bhang, guaza, churrus and ganjab, and embraces every fresh and flowering, flowering and fruiting tops, or any part or portion of the plant and seeds threof, and all its geographic varieties, whether as a reefer, resin, extract tincture or in any form whatsoever.
-Plant Marijuana is a season grown from seeds. -Manicured or grounded leaves and flowering tops -Reefers or cigarettes known as “joints” and other names d. Synthetic drugs having the same physiological action as a narcotic drug, such as methadone and demerol.
e. Barbiturates Manufactured synthetically as salts of barbituric acid. f. Amphetamines Stimulate the central nervous system and have the ability to combat fatigue and sleepiness. These is also known as uppers. g. Shabu (Methamphetamine Hydrochloride) Most widely known amphetamine in the country today.
h. Hallucinogens These are the drugs that are capable of creating hallucinations in the mind of the taker. -LSD -Other drug falling under this category are DMT, STP, peyote and morning glory seeds.
i. Ecstacy (MDMA) Refers to the drug having such chemical composition, including any of its isomers or derivatives in any form.
II. Evidence Handling Physical evidence of various types can do much to augment the inevitable oral evidence in a prosecution involving drugs. The investigator should be constantly on alert to obtain physical evidence during an inquiry for presentation in court.
a. Drug Seizures One officer, preferably the officer who made the seizure be detailed to take charge of the drug found.
b. Photographs A permanent written record should be kept relating to photographs taken in the course of an investigation, nothing the time, date and place of the photograph, its subject and the weather condition at the time it was taken. The technician might also note details of film and camera operations.
c. Court Process Many drug seizures are made as a result of a raid covered by a search warrant issued by the courts. The warrant authorizing such search usually becomes an item of physical evidence in a subsequent prosecution. The investigator should ensure that his prosecution is not hindered by a successful court challenge of the validity of the warrant because of the manner of its issue or execution.
d. Documents Documents which mat become evidence in a prosecution should be retained in their original form. They should be treated in much the same manner as drug seizures which regard to identification, and it is suggested that all under whose supervision this is done later “prove” the original, particularly in cases where the required document has to be returned to a person for production later in court.
e. Investigative Record Records in this particular category include: -Information on a suspect or drug movement. -Result of background inquiry on a suspect. -The log or running sheet… -Investigator’s notebooks -Investigator’s diaries -Investigator’s note of conversations, event or interviews
The tests describe in the following pages are designed to give investigators emergency means of making on-the-spot tentative identification of sample seized or purchased during the course of investigation. Results obtained should not be regarded as final identification since a number of such drugs are marketed in combination with other chemicals from which they must be separated (by lab. methods) before true results can be obtained.
I. Care of Apparatus and Reagents Reagents should be protected from excessive heat and light. Acid reagents should be stored in glass-stoppered bottles. Reagent stability should be tested from time to time with drugs of known identity. All apparatus used in making tests should be thoroughly cleaned before reusing. Marquis test is used for morphine, codeine, heroin and other opium derivatives.
II. Making the Test -Allow the reagent to drain to one of the ampul. -Break the ampul between the fingers along the scored line. -Introduce a small bit of sample into the open end… -After the test, the ampul should be rinsed with water before discarding. DO NOT THROW AMPUL IN WASH BASIN OR SINK.
III. Field Tests for Methadone IV. Field Test for Cocaine, Demerol and Methadone This field test for cocaine, Demerol and methadone was developed by the U.S Customs Lab., in Baltimore, Maryland in 1961 and has been in successful use since then.
V. Field Tests for Marijuana Marijuana, can be quickly and positively identified by subjecting the sample following tests: -Microscopic -Chemical Reagents Seeds
VI. Field Tests for Amphetamines This field test for identifying amphetamines is useful in screening out caffeine, vitamins, saccharine or other substitutes proffered as amphetamines. VII. Field Test for Barbiturates
A common occurrence in the drug culture is the death of a user. Investigation of a narcotic death is divided into 3 phases: the SCENE investigation the MEDICAL investigation, and the TOXICOLOGICAL investigation. An officer involved in such a case should determine the manner of death, that is, whether homicide, suicide or accidental.
I. Physiological Effect of Narcotic Ingestion The ingestion of narcotics or dangerous drugs poisons the body. The poisoning effect will lead to a paralysis of the respiratory center or cause heart failure. This, then, will deny the body a sufficient amount of oxygen.
II. The Scene of Death -The following are just some of such items: Paraphernalia (or “works”) Narcotics Medication Maalox-Milk of Magnesia Absence of Nutritional Food Body Fluids Clothing or Bed Linens
Lack of Ordinary Cleanliness Wet Body Nylon Stocking Playing Cards Merchandise
-Body Signs Cyanosis Petechial Hemorrhages Foam of Froth Hamatoma Needle marks/tracks Scars Rash/Scratched skin
