A FORMER men’s magazine FHM model who allegedly sells illegal drugs online has been arrested in a drug bust, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Thursday, February 27.
Charlene “Cindy” Mecayer, 24, was arrested in her apartment unit in Greenwood executive Village in Barangay Sta. Ana in Taytay, Rizal on Wednesday, February 26.
PDEA officer-in-charge Gregorio Pimentel said Mecayer allegedly sells illegal drugs and paraphernalia online and delivers these illegal items by courier.
Pimentel said Mecayer also distributes through social media an “instructional” video on how to use illegal drugs.
Recovered during the operation were P68,000 worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, three pieces of ecstasy tablets worth P4,500, P500 drug bust money and various illegal drug paraphernalia.
In a follow up operation, Pimentel said operatives arrested Emily Patanao Dudley alias "Emily Dudley," 60, in Pasay City.
Dudley is allegedly Mecayer’s source of illegal drugs.
Seized from her was P340,000 worth of shabu.
Pimentel said that online delivery and transport services are now platforms for drug trade.
"This is a new challenge PDEA (is) facing today. Illegal drugs were now rampant with the said platforms," Pimentel said.
He said the PDEA has sent communication to Lazada to stop the alleged sale of drug paraphernalia on its platform.
Pimentel said that there should be a mechanism to verify the items that are sold online.
He said they will also coordinate with the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board to deal with the courier service providers who agree to transport illegal drugs.
The arrested suspects will be facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (SunStar Philippines)