A woman linked to what authorities call the “rentangay” modus has been arrested in Pavia, Iloilo.

However, the woman, identified only as a certain “Michelle," 22, was arrested for another offense - alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act for being in possession of suspected shabu worth over P400,000.

She was arrested in Barangay Balabag during a buy-bust operation of the drug enforcement team of the Pavia Municipal Police Station.

“Medyo matagal na siyang sinusundan. So medyo hindi lang matuloy-tuloy. So, luckily, nitong (March 7), natuloy,” said Lt. Garry Tayongtong, Deputy Chief of the Pavia Municipal Police Station.

Before the operation, Michelle’s name had surfaced on social media for her alleged connection to the “rentangay” modus.

What happens in this modus is that the suspect would rent a vehicle and would later pawn or sell the vehicle. The common victims are rent-a-car-services.

Tayongtong said the selling price of these vehicles would usually be “too good to be true.”

“Ang sinasabi nating ‘too good to be true,’ ibebenta sa iyo ang sasakyan P200,000, bagong-bago pa, kumikinang, pero hindi kapani-paniwala,” he said.

However, except for supposed victims from Mindanao reaching out to the police, no formal complaint has been filed against Michelle, as of this writing.

Michelle did not issue a statement. She was put behind bars at the Pavia Municipal Police Station.