Two arrested in drug bust; cocaine found in motel room

MONTROSE — A warrant stemming from a traffic incident led task force agents and other peace officers to a quantity of suspected cocaine.

Marya Hulley and Octavio Hernandez were both arrested Wednesday morning, Agent Jim Fuller of the Seventh Judicial Meth/Drug Task Force said.

The two were staying in the same motel room on East Main Street, where the task force was conducting an investigation.

“We learned of a subject staying there with an outstanding warrant,” Fuller said.

The warrant was for Hulley and alleged she had failed to appear on a traffic case. But according to Fuller, she also had a previous drug-related arrest, so the task force decided to check her out with assistance from the Montrose Police Department and Montrose County Sheriff’s Office.

Fuller said Hulley let officers into her room before being advised of the warrant and taken into custody.

While agents were in the room, they saw suspected drugs. “We observed, in plain view, narcotics and paraphernalia,” Fuller alleged. “We’ve made two arrests and are still undertaking interviews.”

Hernandez was arrested because he was also occupying the room.

“They were both sharing the same motel room. It was all in plain view. They had what is called constructive possession,” Fuller said.

He said the substance appeared to be cocaine. Though the exact amount hadn’t been determined Wednesday, Fuller said it was apparently around an ounce — an amount not typically associated with just use.

Undersheriff Kevin Walters said the pair was booked Wednesday on suspicion of distribution of a schedule II controlled substance. Fuller said they might be charged with possession with intent to distribute.

Both Hulley and Hernandez were initially held on $60,000 bonds; Hulley also had a $1,500 bond on the FTA allegation, Walters said.

Fuller did not know whether the bust would lead to more arrests, though agents were attempting to see who else, if anyone, might have had knowledge of the alleged cocaine.

“We’re getting limited cooperation,” he said.