By Johnnie Rosario
If you've had problems reaching the Guam Waterworks Authority dispatch office, you may have been calling while Erik Arceo was on duty there.
Mr. Arceo is the stepson of a former longtime manager at the sister agencies, who is well connected in politics and in the court system. Guam Police Department sources confirm police responded to a call from GWA to its Fadian offices, after employees allegedly found Mr. Arceo sleeping at his desk Sunday. On his desk, according to police sources, were methamphetamine, a glass pipe, and other drug paraphernalia consistent with the trafficking of drugs.
Kandit for the past three days has been asking GWA officials, including general manager Miguel Bordallo, for comment on the matter since the agency failed to inform the public of the breach on its premises. The agency today released a statement confirming the arrest, but did not name the employee.
"On Sunday, November 8, 2020, Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) personnel notified the Guam Police Department (GPD) of potential drug use by an employee on duty at its Fadian facility," the GWA media statement reads. "A GWA employee was arrested by GPD based on the information provided by GWA management. GPD has since advised GWA that the employee is under investigation and therefore any questions should be directed to GPD."
No magistrates report released by the Superior Court of Guam since Sunday provides any charges against any person matching the circumstances of the GWA arrest. According to Attorney General's Office spokeswoman Carlina Charfauros, when a person is arrested, a decision is made to release or confine the arrestee based on the severity of the crime. Felony arrests (drug possession and trafficking arrests are for felony crimes) lead to confinement, which then leads to a magistrates report from a prosecutor and a hearing before a magistrate judge.
"We do our jobs and we make arrests when there is evidence of crime, but sometimes when politics is involved or favorites are out there, these guys get away with it and there's nothing we can do," one police officer said on condition of anonymity.
Whether Mr. Arceo was booked and released or confined, no record of his arrest can be found by the Attorney General's Office or the Superior Court.
"The OAG has not received police reports or information regarding an incident that occurred involving Erik Arceo," Ms. Charfauros confirmed to Kandit.
Mr. Arceo's arrest does not appear in any of the daily magistrates reports released by the Superior Court to the media since Sunday.
"This is an ongoing investigation," police spokesman Sgt. Paul Tapao confirmed to Kandit. "GPD did not release information regarding this case. I don't have any other information at this time."
GWA, in its statement on the matter, says Mr. Arceo was notified of his termination, but in the same sentence states he has been suspended without pay. Mr. Bordallo, the general manager, has ignored Kandit's inquiries on the matter.
"The employee allegedly involved in illegal activity was served a notice of termination and is subsequently suspended without pay pending the outcome of the adverse action process," the GWA media statement continued. "GWA has adopted a Zero-Tolerance Drug-and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy to better protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, visitors to our facilities, and the general public served by the GWA water and wastewater systems."
According to Mr. Arceo's Facebook page, he is the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Services at the Guam Waterworks Authority.
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