If drugs are thrown away and the police have exhibited proper conduct in causing the abandonment, the drugs can be used as evidence.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is known as the "abandoned property doctrine" and has been upheld by courts in the United States as a way for law enforcement to use discarded drugs as evidence. The key factor is that the drugs must be voluntarily abandoned and the police cannot coerce or force the abandonment in violation of a suspect's Fourth Amendment rights.

If Drugs Are Thrown Away and the Police Have Exhibited