A Guam Customs and Quarantine Captain allegedly playing hooky when sent to Washington for official business in January. 

KUAM got the allegations from others concerned within the agency. 

The trip included three captains and a customs officer II each traveling to the northwest to see how their federal counterparts operate a cargo inspection facility, one they hope to build at the port authority of Guam. 

The tipster told KUAM the captain was allegedly absent the entire time and only showed up when they were set to return to Guam, adding the other officers knew and failed to report it to management further alleging a cover up.

Still, the issue made its way to Director Ike Peredo. 

“That’s my concern because I did receive an anonymous letter regarding that issue and when I was reading the letter it dawned onto me that there was something inconsistent with the travel plan,” said Peredo. 

He immediately sent the letter to his internal affairs

“So that right now is under investigation,” added Peredo. “I’m aware of the inconsistencies but I am not aware of the specifics of what happened.”

“What are some of the inconsistencies,” asked KUAM. 

“Based on the letter sent to my office it says that I should look into it because based on the schedule of the site visit there seems to me inconsistencies of one of the officers not meeting the time line of this that’s my concern,” said Peredo. 

KUAM requested the travel documents. Each was authorized more than $4,000 for the trip including flight, car rental and hotel stay for six days. 

Peredo is now waiting for investigators to send him their findings. 

“If you are not accountable for the time then I need to follow it up and hold those officers accountable to their action if necessary,” said Peredo. 

When asked if he’s spoken to these officers about the allegations, Peredo said, “No. I turned it over to IA and they are preparing the final report for this.” 

He assures us that proper action will be taken depending on the outcome of the investigation.

He still commends the team for returning with information needed for the $10 million project. 

“I did approve officers to travel to Washington to get an insight of what we need to start the construction,” said Peredo. 

Peredo added they got $2 million from Congressman James Moylan's office to start architectural layout.

This includes looking at how the technology and equipment is used for the proposed facility and determining the manpower needs to operate it. 

The next step is to work with Guam Economic Development Authority to secure the funding to build it.