New Roc City Hotel Fire Reveals Illicit Drug Lab: Police

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A fire at a Westchester County hotel led to the discovery of an illicit drug lab in a hotel room, according to police.

On Sunday, at 9:19 p.m., New Rochelle police responded, at the request of the New Rochelle Fire Department, to a report of a suspicious fire at the Marriott Residence Inn at New Roc City.

Police discovered that the hotel's fire suppression system had activated, successfully controlling a blaze originating in a room on the 7th floor. However, the activation of the system resulted in significant flooding across the entire floor.

During the initial investigation, officers found evidence inside the room indicating the presence of a clandestine drug laboratory, officials said. Among the items recovered were quantities of cocaine, along with materials consistent with the processing of cocaine into crack cocaine, according to police.

Detectives soon developed leads that led them to a hospital in Queens, where they located a suspect receiving treatment for burns sustained during the incident.

The suspect, Pedro Marte, had suffered injuries to his right arm, torso, and foot. He was transferred to another medical facility, where he remains in stable condition under medical care.

The 47-year-old New York City man is under arrest and being held in custody at a New York City hospital. Upon his release from the hospital, he will be booked on charges related to the operation of the drug lab and possession of controlled substances, NRPD said.

Police said charges pending against Marte include two felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, felony reckless endangerment and criminal mischief .

It is believed the fire was likely sparked by drug manufacturing in the hotel room, though the exact cause remains under investigation, according to officials.

The New Rochelle Police Department is encouraging anyone with information about the case to contact detectives through the non-emergency line at 914-654-2300 or anonymously at 914-632-COPS.