Sylvester Palacios, who retired from the service last year, said he “trusts” Detective Melvin Monkeya.
“I trust Melvin. I trained him. I know for a fact that he never leaks information,” Palacios told the Variety.
“I am not siding with anyone and politics should not be involved. Differences should be set aside. We should address the drug problem and act as one,” Palacios added as he called on the Department of Public Safety and the DEA to set aside their differences.
When he was still in the service, Palacios said he knew that the DEA was building a case against the “ice” traffickers on Tinian.
On Wednesday, three Tinian residents, including a police officer and an employee of the mayor’s office, were arrested on “ice” charges.
“I don’t know why Melvin was accused of leaking the information,” he said.
It was Department of Public Safety Deputy Commissioner Ambrosio Ogumoro who accused Monkeya of “betraying” DPS and the governor.
Ogumoro was relieved of his post on Wednesday by DPS Commissioner Santiago Tudela.
Arrested on Wednesday were PO1 Gilbert Macaranas, Henry San Nicolas and Carlos Aldan.
San Nicolas is a son-in-law of Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz, and works for the mayor’s office, not for the municipal council as earlier reported.
A staffer from the mayor’s office said San Nicolas is assigned to the island’s dog control program.
