The Philippine Supreme Court has ruled that investigators generally may not seize and use evidence of an unrelated offense when a search warrant authorizes only a search for illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.

The court’s Third Division acquitted Edgar Silvano of possessing counterfeit access devices. National Bureau of Investigation agents found credit cards and computer equipment while executing a drug warrant, but the court said the cards were outside the warrant’s scope and did not qualify for seizure under the plain-view doctrine.

The court emphasized that the discovery was not inadvertent: investigators already had information about suspected credit-card fraud but did not obtain a warrant covering that allegation. The cards were also inside a non-transparent bag, and their possible criminal character became apparent only after further checking. Without the unlawfully seized cards, the prosecution could not sustain the conviction.

The ruling addresses admissibility in this case and does not prevent investigators from seeking properly supported warrants for separate alleged offenses.

Sources: Supreme Court of the Philippines summary: sc.judiciary.gov.ph source ↗ Supreme Court press-release archive: sc.judiciary.gov.ph source ↗