  Police arrested a Costa Rican surnamed
Romero-Ortega, 32, on suspicion of having loaded a
container with 918 kilos of cocaine in fruit cargo
to export to the Netherlands.- Public Ministry and A.M. Costa Rica wire services photo. |
||
   |
 Published Monday, August 24, 2020 Jailed
suspect of loading cocaine in
fruit cargo exporting to Netherlands By the A.M. Costa Rica staff On Friday, officers of the Drug Control Police arrested a Costa Rican surnamed Romero-Ortega, 32, on suspicion of having loaded a container with 918 kilos of cocaine in fruit cargo to export to the Netherlands. According to the police report, two properties related to the suspect were also searched: a house located in Guácimo District and a warehouse located in Liverpool District. Both districts are located in the Limón Province. Police seized electronic equipment, security camera circuits, packaging materials such as adhesive plastic and pallets, which will be used as evidence in the case. The suspect has a criminal record for computer fraud and rape, the police said.  The Limón Prosecutor's Office alleges that the investigation could determine that on Aug. 7, Romero was the truck driver who transported the drugs to the APM Terminals Port in Limón Province. That day the Drug Enforcement Police officers found a cargo of cocaine hidden in a container that was being prepared for shipping to the Netherlands. During a routine scanner inspection of the containers, authorities detected the drug hidden inside a cargo of 1,260 boxes of pineapple ready to export to Rotterdam Port. "The drug was contained in 21 briefcases, which were carefully checked and carried a total of 918 packages weighing approximately one kilogram of cocaine each," the Security Ministry said in its statement. During this year, four drivers have been arrested on suspicion of trying to traffic drugs using this method. The police have seized nine drug shipments in containers so far this year, which is equivalent to 9.1 tons of cocaine, the police reported. The man was taken to the cells of the Public Ministry where he was interrogated by the judicial agents and after that, he must wait until a judge orders the pre-trial measures against him for international drug trafficking. ---------------------- Should authorities implement routine checks on all containers moving through port facilities? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
|
|
|
| |
 |
 |
   |
