San Juan, PR – The U.S. Marshals-led Puerto Rico Violent
Offenders Task Force arrested a suspected leader of a drug trafficking
organization (DTO) wanted in the Southern District of New York.
On January 7, 2020, the Southern District of New York issued an arrest
warrant against Orlando Carmona Serrano for drug trafficking and
firearms violations. Information developed by New York investigators
indicated Carmona Serrano was residing in Puerto Rico, acting as a
leader of a DTO operating out of several public housing projects in the
San Juan metro area.
Working in conjunction with investigators
from S/NY, the PRVOTF assumed the lead on the investigation.
Carmona Serrano was charged June 3, 2020, with attempted murder by
Puerto Rico authorities after he shot at a police officer during a
traffic stop. Carmona Serrano was subsequently featured as one of the
“Top 10” most wanted in the District of Puerto Rico.
On March 10,
2021, after a year-long investigation the PRVOTF located the residence
of Carmona Serrano in the town of Trujillo Alto, where he was placed
under arrest without incident.
A large amount of U.S. currency
and several firearms were confiscated at the residence.
“This is
a clear statement to all fugitives from the law,” said U.S. Marshal for
the District of Puerto Rico Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra. “The Marshals will
continue to work closely with our state local law enforcement partners
to make our streets and communities safer.”
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found
at http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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First Federal Law Enforcement Agency