Car dealer arrested for “dealing in shabu”

CEBU, Philippines -  The City Intelligence Bureau (CIB) of the Mandaue City Police Office arrested Tuesday evening a car dealer for allegedly selling shabu during a buy-bust operation in barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

Rey Harold Padaya, 32, a resident of barangay Casili in Consolacion town, was arrested near the premises of Innodata in barangay Subangdaku after he sold two small packs of shabu to a poseur buyer in exchange for two P500 bills.

CIB chief P/Insp. Philip Silva said that aside from alleged involvement in illegal drugs, Padaya also faces three estafa cases.

Silva said Padaya is engaged in a car repainting business and accept cars as collateral for loans.

“Duna nay tulo ka mga biktima nga niduol nato gumikan kay gipang-prenda nila ilang sakyanan ngadto sa suspect, but once naa na niya ang mga sakyanan, ma-lost contact na ni siya sa tag-iya ug iyang ibaligya ang ilang mga sakyanan,” Silva said.

Silva said Padaya would even intimidate and harass his victims.

However, the suspect failed to evade arrest last Tuesday evening.

“Maoy modus niya. Magsakay sa iyang sakyanan unya tunol sa butang, unya biya dayon sa dapit. Apan kagabii, wa na dyud siya kaipsot,” Silva said.

Also seized from his possession were 12 small packs containing alleged shabu and a .38 caliber revolver.

His area covers Mandaue city, Consolacion town, and in barangay Mabolo and Carreta in Cebu City.

Padaya is now detained at the Subangdaku Police station pending the filing of illegal drugs cases against him.

In another development, the CIB arrested an allegedly new player in the illegal drugs trade last Tuesday evening in sitio Tres Rosas in barangay Alang-alang, Mandaue City.

Salvador Saldo alias “Badong,” 44, married, and jobless, was arrested after he selling shabu contained in a small pack to a poseur buyer in exchange for P300 bills.

Six other small packs containing alleged shabu were also seized from him.

Saldo is detained at the Subangdaku police station. (FREEMAN)