By CHITO CHAVEZ
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency yesterday arrested a former men’s magazine model and her source in separate buy-bust operations in Taytay, Rizal and Pasay City last Wednesday.
PDEA officer-in-charge Gregorio Pimentel said ex-model Charlene “Cindy” Mecayer, 24, was nabbed in Greenwood Executive Village, Barangay Sta. Ana. Taytay, Rizal for selling illegal drugs through online selling platforms and transport services.
PDEA agents seized suspected shabu worth P68,000, three ecstasy tablets worth P4,500, P500 buy-bust money, and various drug paraphernalia from Mecayer.
Pimentel said that Mecayer was selling drugs along with paraphernalia and the suspect was even showing how to use them on social media.
A follow up operation the same day nabbed Mecayer’s source of illegal drugs, Emily Patanao Dudley, alias “Emily Dudley,” 60, in Pasay City.
Authorities seized P340, 000 worth of suspected shabu from Dudley.
Pimentel said that online delivery and transport services are now platforms for the illegal drugs trade.
“This is a new trend challenge PDEA is facing today. Illegals drugs were now rampant with the said platforms,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel noted deepwebs and darkwebs have been used by some drug suspects for transactions.
With these turn of events, Pimentel said PDEA has sent communication to an online shopping platform to inform them of the alleged selling of drug paraphernalia.
PDEA also plans to request the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board to look at the new trend of sellimg drugs through transport services.
“PDEA was now compiling evidence on the new trend,’’ he added.
Pimentel strongly batted for a checking mechanism on the items delivered and sold online.
PDEA Director-General Aaron Aquino had earlier said that online delivery services are medium for the illegal drugs drugs trade.
The suspects are currently detained at PDEA and will face face charges for violating Sections 5 and 12 of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. (Chito Chavez)
