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  The money was found under clothes, inside stocks, shoes and in packages attached to the suspect's bodies. - Ministry of Security photo -  |
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Published
Thursday, June 17, 2021
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Police officers of the Juan Santamaría International Airport, in Alajuela Province, arrested two foreigners, of Mexican nationality, on suspicion of hiding more than $48,000 in cash. According to the police report, the Mexican couple, a man surnamed Sánchez and a woman surnamed Méndez were at the Migration checkpoint. During a routine check, officers detected money hidden in their luggage. The money was found under clothes, inside stocks and shoes. In addition, the police detected more money hidden in packages attached to the suspect's bodies. Following the guidelines in these cases, agents of the Judicial Investigation Organization and officers of the Prosecutor's Office counted the money allegedly carried by the suspects, determining a total of $48,714 in cash. In addition to the confiscation of the money, as part of the evidence in the case, the two suspects were taken to the cells of the Public Ministry in Alajuela Province where they were interrogated by the judicial agents and after that, they must wait until a judge orders the pre-trial measures against them. According to the airport passenger guide, when entering or exiting the country, all citizens or foreigners must declare all cash or securities they are carrying if the amount is equal to or greater than $10,000 or the equivalent in another currency. The official forms must be used for this declaration, which is available by Customs officers at the immigration checkpoints. This requirement follows Article 35 of Law No. 8204 entitled Law on Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, Drugs of Unauthorized Use, Money Laundering and Related Activities. Authorities recommend for visitors to review the rules for entering or leaving the country on the airport's website. This is the second case reported by authorities on a foreigner detained at the airport for illicit activities in less than one month.  On May 23, airport police arrested a man, who identified himself as a German citizen surnamed Richter, on suspicion of carrying a fraudulent passport and hiding a cargo of gold and silver in his luggage. According to the police report, the man intended to travel to Panama on a flight departing from the Alajuela airport. Allegedly, at the Migration checkpoint it was detected that documents proving his negative covid-19 test was fake which alerted officials. After a more meticulous inspection of his documents, experts determined that it could be a case of fraudulent documents. According to the police, the man identified himself as a German diplomat with a consular passport. When the officers investigated the man's statement at the embassy, they determined that the information provided by the man could be fake. Following the guideline in these cases, the officers made a more detailed analysis of his luggage. Finding several Valcambi brand plates of what appeared to be gold and silver.  Valcambi is a precious metal refining company located in Balerna, Switzerland. They refine gold, silver, platinum and palladium into various forms including cast and minted bars, rounds, coins, and other semi-finished casting products, according to the information published on their website. A judge ordered the pre-trial jail against him accused by the authorities of alleged use of a fake passport and precious metal trafficking. The judicial agents call on the population to report any suspicion of precious metals or cash trafficking to the confidential line 800-8000-645. Their bilingual agents can answer calls in English or Spanish. -------------------------- What should authorities do to stop cash trafficking from Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com  Real Estate For Sale
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