Published Wednesday, April 29, 2020

A lawyer may go to trial on
suspicion of growing marijuana


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Alajuela Province Prosecutor's Office accused and requested the opening of a trial against a lawyer, surnamed Cerdas-Salazar, on suspicion of committing the crimes of cultivation, transformation, storage and supply of drugs.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, a judge from the Criminal Court ordered three more months of pre-trial jail against Cerdas.

The lawyer was detained on Aug. 2019, during a raid in his home office and brother’s house where plants, tools, guns and other appliances were seized for evidence.

Agents of the Judicial Investigation Organization found 12 marijuana plants, eight kilos of marijuana buds, two kilos of marijuana seeds, leaves and stems of the plant. They also found lamps, fans, electrical and irrigation equipment that was allegedly used for drug cultivation. Agents also found an oven and a kitchen allegedly used for the transformation of marijuana.

Agents also seized four firearms found during the raids.

According to the Prosecutor, since Sept. 2018, a file had opened against Cerdas for allegedly growing marijuana on his property.

"It is alleged that during that period, Cerdas supplied the drug in four forms: roots-seeds, leaves, fruit and oil," said the Prosecutor in its statement.

The investigation has determined that the suspect was reserved about who he allowed in his house. Allegedly only highly trustworthy people entered his home.

It is expected that within the next few days, authorities will set an opening date for the trial against the lawyer.

Similar case happened last month, when the Judicial agents arrested three men on suspicion of developing a hydroponic marijuana laboratory inside a home.



According to the agents' report, an anonymous caller alerted them about a marijuana production laboratory that was inside an apartment located in the Bella Vista District in Guápiles, Limón Province.

The agents raided the apartment, finding a total of 40 marijuana plants, where each plant was reaching approximately one and a half meters high.

The plants were produced hydroponically, said the agents in its report. The laboratory had an automatic irrigation system, lighting system, and ventilation system, as well as tools and agricultural supplies for the cultivation and maintenance of the plants.

According to information provided by the agents, the laboratory allegedly belongs to three Costa Ricans, who had been arrested for other minor crimes.

In addition to the arrests, the officers confiscated the marijuana plants and the laboratory supplies to be used as evidence for the investigation.

The three men were taken to the cells of the Public Ministry where they were interrogated by judicial agents and a judge ordered pre-trial jail against them.


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Have you heard about a lawyer found guilty for committing a felony in your community?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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