Cops tossed to drug tests • Program launched to identify who among CNMI’s law enforcers are law breakers themselves

Taking the cue from recent reports alleging involvement of law enforcers in illegal drug use and trade, the Department of Public Safety launched this month a random drug testing of its over 350 police officers and office personnel.

The random testing was launched in response to a government-wide call to weed out public officers of officials and employees who either use or trade prohibited substances.

Public Safety Commissioner Charles Ingram disclosed Friday that the first round of the random drug tests was conducted last April 3 where more than nine police offices and staff were submitted to various narcotic examinations.

The police department is first among the list of government agencies where drug testing will be conducted, said Mr. Ingram. Other government departments and offices are soon to follow.

Results of the initial drug test are yet to be released but the commissioner is confident that very few, if none at all, of his police officers will test positive for drug use.

The test includes use of marijuana, ice and other unregulated drugs.

Mr. Ingram said regardless how long or how often police officers and employees use drugs, the test will be extensive and will provide examiners comprehensive results.

The random drug testing will include other agencies on Rota and on Tinian. DPS has more than 350 officers and personnel spread to more than 11 offices under the department including Corrections, Fire and Investigation unit.

Mr. Ingram said the drug testing is in line with efforts to determine whether police officers used drugs before and during their employment with the DPS.

The Commonwealth government has made calls to all department heads to hold random testing in order to prove or disprove allegations hurled by drug users and traffickers that police officers are in cahoots with drug syndicates.

Only recently, Sonia Belyeu dragged several police officers’ names to the controversial list of drug suppliers, alleging that some law enforcers were, in fact, involved in the hand-to-hand distribution of controlled substances.

Ms. Belyeu incriminated Criminal Investigation Bureau commander Delbert Sablan in the said drug operation when she testified against a businessmen before the federal court.

Immediately, DPS ordered a probe on Mr. Sablan’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

In her testimony, Ms. Belyeu revealed that the DPS official supplied her ice some time ago. The revelation came after the defendant struck a deal with the government in hopes to lessen her possible jail term. (EGA)