Police have dismantled 116 narco organizations this year

The police reported the confiscation of $787,297 in the local currency colones, plus $1,966,653 in U.S. dollars and 51,650 euros. / Ministry of Public Security courtey photo.

-Published: Friday, November 8, 2019-

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Drug Control Police of the Ministry of Public Security reported that from January to October, 116 narco organizations have been dismantled.

According to the police report, as a result of the special anti-narcotics operations, 19 organizations dedicated to international drug trafficking have been dismantled as were 97 organizations of local drug traffickers. Of these last, 26 were family clans that worked in the different communities of the country.

During the same period, the police reported the confiscation of 113 firearms, 97 vehicles, $787,297 in the local currency colones, plus $1,966,653 in U.S. dollars and 51,650 euros.

In a recent case of international drug trafficking, police found approximately 954 kilos of cocaine in a container that was to be exported to Belgium Oct. 29.

According to the police report, during a routine review at the port of Limón, specifically at the docks of the APM Terminal company, officers found several black packages that were inside a container. That container was loaded with banana pulp that was going to be exported to the European country.

"The container is 20 feet long, and inside were 29 bags with 954 packages of approximately one kilogram of cocaine each," said the police in its report.

During this year "the police have detected nine containers contaminated with drugs at the Limón docks," said Michael Soto, minister of Security.

According to data provided by the ministry, during this year 37.2 tons of drugs, including cocaine and marijuana, have been seized throughout the country.

In a similar case, on Oct 24, the police found 250 kilos of cocaine in another cargo of plants being exported to Holland.

According to the police report, during a routine review process, the officers, also at APM terminals, found the drug hidden inside the containers that were already placed inside a ship headed to Europe.

The ship was bound for Rotterdam in The Netherlands, said police in its report.

According to Soto, the load of ornamental plants looked as if it were legal. However when the officers made a more detailed review they found eight packages, which contained the drug, he said. The police did not report any detainees concerning this case.

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What else can the government do to fight against drug trafficking? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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