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Published Monday, January 25, 2021
INTERPOL agents arrest a Colombian
in the country wanted by the U.S.
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Agents of the International Criminal Police Organization, commonly known as INTERPOL, detained a Colombian man surnamed Lubo-Barros, 51, for an international arrest warrant issued by the United States, as a suspect of drug trafficking.
According to the agents' report, allegedly Lubo-Barros could have entered Costa Rica three years ago with the use of a false ID. As a result of an investigation, it was determined that the suspect lived in Escazú Canton, San José Province, therefore, the agents proceeded to arrest him when the man was in his car in the parking lot of a shopping center.
Lubo-Barros was taken to the cells of the Public Ministry where he was interrogated by the judicial agents and after that, they must wait until a judge considers his extradition to the United States.
The Costa Rica and U.S. extradition trade allows deporting a citizen or foreigner requested by any of both countries. The United States Department of Justice can request for the extradition of foreigners or U.S. citizens living in Costa Rica, as well Costa Rica Ministry Public can request for the extradition of Costa Ricans living in the U.S.
The most recent case of a Costa Rican extradited by the United States happened on Jan. 12, when a Tico man surnamed Lewis-Cordero was extradited from the U.S. Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice, for being a suspect of murder and robbery in Costa Rica.
According to the Public Ministry, the case against Lewis began in 2017, when he was suspected, along with another man surnamed Díaz-Sánchez, to have planned a robbery in the house of a mutual friend, a man surnamed Aragón-Parabeles.
In September 2018, the Prosecutor issued the arrest warrant for Lewis, who was arrested in August 2020 in the United States.
In Jan. 2021, Lewis was deported from the U.S. and later turned over to the Costa Rican authorities. A judge of the Heredia court ordered six months in pre-trial prison against him for being a suspect in the crimes of qualified murder and aggravated robbery.
The authorities did not provide information on the immigration status of Lewis when he was living in the United States.
The agents of the Judicial Investigation Organization, ask for the people to report people suspected of or linked to crimes and hiding from authorities to the confidential line 800-8000-645, where bilingual agents can answer calls in the English or Spanish language.
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What have you heard of people suspected of committing crimes in the U.S. hiding in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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