People v. Aminnudin

Summary

The Supreme Court acquitted Idel Aminnudin, who was convicted by the trial court for illegal transportation of marijuana under the Dangerous Drugs Act. Aminnudin was arrested without warrant on June 25, 1984, in Iloilo City based on an informer's tip. The Court held the warrantless arrest illegal since the accused was not caught in flagrante delicto and the PC officers had sufficient time (two days) to obtain a proper warrant. The marijuana evidence was ruled inadmissible as 'fruit of the poisonous tree.' The decision emphasized that constitutional protections under the Bill of Rights cannot be violated even in anti-drug campaigns, reinforcing that the government must comply with constitutional procedures. The case established important precedent on the exclusionary rule and the limits of warrantless arrests in drug cases, distinguishing it from 'buy-bust' operations where suspects are caught red-handed.