Former NBA player arrested in Puerto Rico

Jose Ortiz, a former NBA player, was arrested on Thursday by federal agents who found 218 marijuana plants and 40 rounds of rifle ammunition at his home, US officials said.

   Ortiz, 47, was changed with intent to distribute marijuana plants and faces a minimum of five years in prison if convicted.

   “This should send a message,” US Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez said.

   Ortiz, known by the nickname ’Piculin’, agreed to enter a drug rehabilitation program and will remain at an undisclosed location until a July 26 hearing. Authorities have 30 days to make their case to a grand jury.

   Four-time Olympian Ortiz played two seasons for the NBA Utah Jazz, most recently in 1990, and also played in Greece and Spain.

   He was a member of the Puerto Rican squad that defeated the United States 92-73 at the 2004 Athens Olympics, inflicting the first Olympic defeat upon an American squad containing NBA talent.