A habal-habal (motorcycle-for-rent) driver who is an ex-convict and his alleged associate in the drug trade were arrested by police for allegedly selling shabu during an anti-drug operation in Tagbilaran City on Tuesday afternoon.

Police identified the suspects as Rozen Soliva, a habal-habal driver who had been convicted of murder, and his alleged associate, Adrian Orapa.

According to authorities, Soliva who has been recently included in the police’s drug watch list was spotted selling illegal drugs near the Integrated Bus Terminal in Barangay Dao.

Police then set in motion the buy-bust operation against Soliva.

Soliva allegedly arranged the transaction with an undercover cop but it was Orapa who handed over shabu worth P500.

Police said that they seized from Soliva and Orapa a total of 5.8 grams of shabu which were estimated to be worth P68,400.

Both men were placed under the custody of the Tagbilaran City police as authorities prepared to file illegal drug charges against them. (wm)