The Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency (CQA) has promoted four veteran officers to the rank of Customs and Quarantine Officer III, marking a significant step in strengthening the island’s frontline security and operational readiness.
Recognized in a ceremony held Friday at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex, the newly promoted CQIIIs — Jeremy Artero, Walter Gray, Stephen Quichocho, and Shena San Nicolas — bring between 12 and 17 years of dedicated service to their expanded leadership roles.
Their backgrounds span the full breadth of CQA operations, including passenger and cargo screening at all ports of entry, specialized enforcement and drug interdiction efforts, homeland security investigations, and biosecurity threat response. Many of them are also trained detector dog handlers, instructors, and deployment specialists, contributing to CQA’s critical narcotics and agricultural interdiction efforts.
CQA Director Ike Q. Peredo emphasized that the promotions address key staffing needs while enhancing the agency’s leadership capacity.
“Promoting these officers not only allows us to address critical vacancies, but also strengthens the leadership and exemplary level of care essential to our mission,” Peredo said. “Each of these individuals bring proven results, and their advancement ensures that our agency is positioned for long-term success.”
During the event, loved ones of the officers participated in the traditional pinning of new ranks. The officers also received certificates of promotion from CQA management, as well as recognition from the Office of the Governor, the 38th Guam Legislature, and Congressman James Moylan.
With these additions, CQA now has 27 CQIII officers, representing roughly 22% of the agency’s 124-officer workforce. The last promotions to this rank occurred in March 2025 and November 2024.
