Superintendent Tito Bayangos, Tarlac police director, said policemen chanced upon Senior Inspector Dante Gacadan, former PDEA-CAR officer-in-charge, and the former vice mayor while allegedly buying two sachets of shabu.
Police withheld the name of the vice mayor.
A desk officer of the Tarlac City police, a certain SPO4 Ruiz, said Gacadan was also held for illegal possession of a 9mm Jericho pistol.
Gacadan, however, claimed in a text message that he and the former vice mayor, who he claimed was an "asset," were conducting an operation when they were arrested.
The PDEA-CAR logbook showed that Gacadan headed to Tarlac for a narcotics’ "test buy."
The STAR, however, learned that Gacadan was already in Rosales, Pangasinan when he sent a text message to the non-commissioned officer on duty to log his "test buy."
Gacadan assumed as OIC of the PDEA-CAR last Nov. 26 following the relief of Superintendent Danilo Manzano and six of his agents.
Gacadan was himself relieved last Jan. 31.