Commonwealth v. Narea

Manuel Narea is awaiting trial on charges of distribution of a class B controlled substance, in violation of G. L. c. 94C, § 32A, and committing the offense within a school zone, in violation of G. L. c. 94C, § 32J. The complaint alleges that Narea sold cocaine to an undercover police officer. He moved to dismiss the complaint on the ground that the Commonwealth had “destroyed” potentially exculpatory evidence, specifically, the “buy money” allegedly recovered from him after his arrest. A Boston Municipal Court judge first ordered the Commonwealth to produce photocopies of the “buy money.”…