Special Agent in Charge Carlos Cases of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) San Juan Division announced the arrest of Juan Pablo Marrero-Diaz. On July 24, 2014, Marrero-Diaz was taken into custody by the FBI and the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and was charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

A federal complaint states that during the afternoon of July 24, 2014, FBI agents were conducting surveillance at a residence located at Alturas Las Cumbres II, Cupey, Puerto Rico, in an effort to apprehend a fugitive.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., FBI agents were on surveillance of the apartment in question when they saw a man walk away from the entrance area of said apartment. This man walked towards a white SUV across the street and stepped out of view behind it on the driver’s side. A few seconds later, the SUV pulled away from its parking space and drove out of the neighborhood. The SUV stopped a few blocks away at a Puma gas station on road PR-199. FBI agents observed a man in a black shirt and red shorts enter the gas station convenience store. FBI agents contacted the USMS who were stationed nearby, who then detained Marrero-Diaz.

Later, the USMS lead arrest team along with FBI agents arrived at the apartment, where Marrero-Diaz was observed exiting several minutes earlier right before the USMS detained him at the Puma gas station. USMS performed a law enforcement call-out and breaching of the entrance door. Nobody came out of the apartment, and USMS made entry and performed a security sweep of the apartment.

The following items were seized at the apartment:

• 61.25 pounds of marijuana
• one plastic pill container containing 100 white round pills that read “512”; one  plastic pill container without lid containing 30 white round pills that read “512,” for a total of 130 units
• one plastic pill container with Walgreens lid containing 47 white round pills that read “ENDO.”
• $113,068.66
• oneSmith and Wesson pistol model 6906 with S/N TZU2419
• one Glock model 23 caliber .40 S/N URX838
• g. one Glock magazine with 32 round capacity containing 22 .40 caliber bullets; one Glock magazine with 15-round capacity containing 14 .40 caliber bullets
• h. one black empty magazine
• i. one black Coach handbag previously containing Glock and two magazines

If convicted, the defendant faces up to a maximum of 15 years in prison. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Zeth Erbi and is being investigated by the FBI.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.