DPS probes involvement of police captain in drug case

The commander of the Criminal Investigation Bureau never thought he would ever be a subject of investigation by the same office that he leads.

Incriminated by a court witness of his alleged participation in an illegal drug business deal, Police Captain Delbert Sablan has been placed under probe by the Department of Public Safety.

Police Commissioner Charles W. Ingram Jr. ordered yesterday the start of the investigation, temporarily relieving the CIB official from his command.

Pending the completion of the investigation, Mr. Sablan has been assigned directly under the Commissioner’s Office to perform administrative tasks.

Mr. Ingram, however, said the action taken by DPS concerning Mr. Sablan does not constitute a demotion.

The probe on the captain has been slated in cooperation with federal authorities.

“Since he has been incriminated, it’s our duty to investigate. We have relieved him as CIB commander for the meantime,” said Mr. Ingram.

The embattled police official has found himself in the hot seat stemming from remarks made Wednesday by Sonia Belyeu, a cooperating witness in the trial of convicted drug-trafficker Leo S. Pangelinan.

Under oath, the key witness told the US District Court of the alleged involvement of the high-ranking DPS captain in the distribution of controlled substances.

She claimed he had supplied her ice sometime ago.

Mr. Sablan has steered clear from making comments, upon advise from his counsel.

A spokesperson for DPS, however, told reporters Mr. Sablan has no recollection of ever associating with Ms. Belyeu on any capacity, at any time in the past.

Ms. Belyeu, a former live-in partner of Mr. Pangelinan, is an admitted former drug user.

While testifying against the defendant, the witness also declared her involvement in the drug operation with her former boyfriend.

To lessen the consequences of her alleged part in the operation, Ms. Belyeu struck a deal with the government, the defense panel through counsel Joseph Arriola had submitted.

By pleading guilty to charges of illegal possession of metamphetamine or ice, Ms. Belyeu may meet a 20-year maximum jail term.

The former Attorney General’s Office employee reportedly admitted she had no desire to spend a single day behind bars.