Prosecutors Dropped Puerto Rico Drugs-for-Votes Charges Under Trump Administration

Federal prosecutors in Puerto Rico were instructed to exclude election fraud charges from an indictment involving a prison gang's drugs-for-votes scheme, despite having solid evidence. Investigators discovered that leaders of the Los Tiburones gang distributed drugs to inmates in exchange for votes supporting Jenniffer González-Colón, a Republican ally of Donald Trump. The scheme involved threats of violence and complicity from corrections staff. Although agents gathered proof implicating inmates and staff, and sought to determine if González-Colón’s campaign was involved, supervisors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office ordered the removal of voting-related counts just days after the 2024 election. The final indictment charged 34 individuals with drug distribution and money laundering but omitted election fraud allegations. Following President Trump’s inauguration, lead prosecutor Jorge Matos was told to halt the investigation entirely. This directive contradicted the administration’s public stance on election integrity and eradicating drug trafficking. The case highlights alleged political interference in justice proceedings, raising concerns about accountability for vote-buying schemes within the Puerto Rican prison system during a critical electoral period.