The mayor and the Department of Public Safety resident director of Tinian should be commended for addressing the drug problem on their island, according to U.S. DEA agent-in-charge Tony Marquez.
But DPS Deputy Commissioner Ambrosio Ogumoro said Marquez should be “replaced immediately” by his superiors “for causing more trouble…with [local] government agencies, including the governor’s office.”
Ogumoro identified the arrested individuals as Carlos Aldan, Henry San Nicolas, and Police Officer 1 Gilbert Macaranas, who is assigned to the patrol section.
They were arrested at about 10 a.m. yesterday, he said.
San Nicolas is a municipal employee, Variety learned.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Benedetto told the Variety that federal agents effected federal arrest warrants.
The defendants are expected to appear in federal court for their initial appearance today.
They are currently under the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
In a press conference yesterday, Ogumoro blasted Marquez for taking credit of the arrests.
Ogumoro said there is a problem with Marquez’s “attitude.”
He said the DEA agent is “disrespectful.”
According to Ogumoro, Marquez bypassed local operational protocols.
Ogumoro said the U.S. DEA only provided the “drug bust money” as his department lacked funding.
He said the department provided eight Tinian police officers to the DEA for the case.
It was not known if Ogumoro was referring to the arrests made yesterday.
“We are sophisticated,” Ogumoro said, referring to technology used by his department in anti-narcotics operations.
But he admitted that DPS lacks funding for laboratory tests on seized controlled substances.
He said the Tinian police transported the defendants to Saipan on a patrol boat.
Marquez should refuel the patrol boat, Ogumoro demanded.
“Without DPS, they are useless in the CNMI. They cannot do it alone,” Ogumoro said, referring to the DEA.
Ogumoro said he has no problem with DEA agents on island.
He said his department’s relationship with the DEA was “wonderful until [Marquez] assumed his position.”
Asked for comment, Marquez told reporters he did not discuss intelligence operations with Ogumoro.
The three defendants, he added, were indicted by a federal grand jury.
Marquez said the DEA was not claiming credit for the arrests, adding that the operation was a joint effort of federal agents and Tinian police.
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