The nationwide operation resulted in 28 arrests and the seizure of numerous assets.

On Tuesday, Costa Rican authorities carried out a security operation to dismantle the South Caribbean Cartel, the largest drug trafficking group in the area. A total of 1,200 police officers participated in 64 raids across several provinces.

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The investigation began in 2021, following a multiple homicide in the Caribbean region. Since then, authorities have seized 13.7 tons of cocaine and marijuana. The criminal network shipped drugs to the United States and Europe.

Deputy Director of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) Michael Soto explained that the criminal organization acquired drug shipments for distribution to other groups within Costa Rica. “The group had maritime and land routes and an advanced money laundering scheme,” he added.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed the seizure of luxury properties, cars, and boats, with the support of Colombia, Panama, Spain, the U.K, France, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The text reads, “OIJ dismantles alleged criminal group known as the ‘South Caribbean Cartel’.
The organization is accused of the following crimes: violation of the psychotropic substances law (national and international drug trafficking), violation of the firearms law, and money laundering”

The gang’s leaders are brothers Luis Manuel and Jordi Grijalba, both in custody awaiting extradition to the United States. Attorney General Carlo Diaz explained that the operation aims to remove mid and low level members of the criminal organization.

Celso Gamboa, a former judge of the Supreme Court, is in custody awaiting extradition for international drug trafficking. He did not hold a leading position in the organization, but maintained relationships with key figures within the investigated structure.

Costa Rica, historically recognized as one of the safest countries in Central America, currently faces a sustained increase in violence. The country closed 2024 with a homicide rate of 16.6 per 100,000 inhabitants, more than double the world average.

teleSUR: JP

Source: Centroamerica360 – Periodico La Republica

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