A FORMER National Police Major who headed a special narcotics team was sentenced to  49 months in prison, by  Judge of Guarantees of the First Judicial Circuit, Monica Barrios on Saturday, Oct. 7

Alex Iván Cedeño was indicted on charges of facilitating the escape of persons arrested in drug-related investigations and omission of public duties.

In addition to the sentence, he is disqualified from public functions for three years, after serving the jail time

Defense attorney Roniel Ortíz asked for  the substitution of community work,  for the jail term as the penalty was less than 60 months. But Prosecutor David Mendoza.said "There are still pending cases within the previous system, causes against freedom, against collective security in the form of illicit association and simulation of punishable acts," and the judge rejected the defense request.

Cedeño was apprehended in Clayton on November 14, 2016, following an investigation related to drug storage.