U.S. Marshals Led Puerto Rico Violent Offenders Task Force Uncover Marijuana Laboratory

San Juan, PR - Recently, the U.S. Marshals Service led Puerto Rico Violent Offenders Task Force uncovered a substantial marijuana laboratory while following-up on a lead pertaining to federal and state fugitive Jose Cosme-Rios aka "Pocholo".

Cosme-Rios, has a state warrant out of Puerto Rico for an alleged murder and a federal warrant for allegedly violating his conditions of release from a prior federal criminal case. Upon executing the warrant of arrest and making entry into the residence located in the Caimito Ward, Task Force Officers and Deputies immediately encountered the strong odder of marijuana. In an adjacent room they found more than 20 adult size marijuana plants, 5 smaller plants, a substantial amount of marijuana individually packaged for street level sale, an undetermined amount of U.S. currency and the lamps, chemicals, and other equipment needed to maintain a hydroponic laboratory. The evidence was transferred to the Puerto Rico Police Department Drug Division for further processing. The fugitive was not at the residence

"Although the fugitive was not arrested, this seizure and dismantling of a hydroponic marijuana laboratory of this size, continues the efforts of combating the illicit narcotics production and sale on the island. This definitely hampers the fugitive's means of sustaining himself financially and places us closer to apprehending him," said Orlando Rivera, U.S. Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico.