by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Operations at the Guam Police Department's headquarters in Tiyan and the Hagatna and Tumon-Tamuning Precincts were halted this morning due to an unannounced drug sweep that was ordered by the acting police chief. "This is just the beginning," said Colonel Maurice Sayama. "We do intend to continue forward with other agencies as well this will be unannounced, as well."

Dozens of police officers assigned to GPD's Tiyan HQ were given a moment's notice to exit their offices as customs drug detector dog unit and members of GPD's Special Investigation Section conducted unannounced drug sweeps. Dog handlers and canines went in and out of each office which quickly turned up negative findings. "I reinstituted our Drug Unit to a much larger state," said Sayama. "We have been attacking that problem out on the streets and trying to remove that element from our society."

As acting police chief, Sayama says in order to clean up the streets and fight the war on drugs on the island, today's unannounced drug sweeps were necessary. "It's pretty much to show you that even at our house we intend to keep it clean. We mean business - we are going to take whoever even if it's a cop and if they're found in possession we will handle that accordingly," he said.

Similar searches were conducted at the Hagatna Precinct where drug-sniffing dogs alerted to a locker; but it was later determined to be a drug test kit that officers use while out in the field to make positive determinations of suspected controlled substances. The drug sweeps followed at the Tumon-Tamuning Precinct and the Matapang Beach koban.

While more unannounced drug sweeps will occur at other police precincts and facilities, Colonel Sayama says it will eventually extend out to other government agencies. Just last month a similar drug sweep was conducted at the Guam Waterworks Authority at the request of general manager Martin Rousch. The colonel says the sweeps are one way to ensure government workers are abiding by the Government of Guam Drug Free Workplace Policy and help combat the rampant drug problem on the island.

Sayama says the signs are all around-from the rise in crime to the price of crystal methamphetamine, telling KUAM News, "The signs and symptoms of a serious drug problem is a high rate of crimes whether it be abuse theft and people just doing stupid stuff out on the streets. I would say yes, it's a strong indicator of what's going on in our community."

The colonel says GPD may be short on manpower and resources but says they've never run short on their desire to make a difference and put criminals behind bars. "For all those who continue to thrive on this type of business, we are going to find you and eventually put a stop to your enterprise," Sayama promised.