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.
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