|
| 
Published Tuesday, December 1, 2020
U.S. Coast Guard plane gives support in
the arrest of drug trafficking suspects
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
As part of the Joint Patrol Agreement between Costa Rica and the United States, a U.S. Coast Guard aircraft aided the arrest of the crew of two motorboats, as suspects of international drug trafficking.
According to the report from the Ministry of Security, the case started on Saturday when the National Coast Guard Service received an alert issued by the U.S. officials who had detected two suspicious boats during a patrol flight over the Pacific Coast.
With the guidance of the U.S. Coast Guard, Costa Rican officials were able to locate the first boat that was crossing 24 nautical miles from Punta Llorona Beach, Puntarenas Province.
It was a speedboat with two 75 hp engines, gray and blue, without a country identification flag or registration, in which three crew members were detected, the Ministry of Security said in its statement.
After stopping the boat, the officers inspected the boat, finding several large bags containing 422 packages of cocaine weighing approximately one kilo each.
The officers arrested the crew which consisted of three Ecuadorian men, surnamed Cuenco-Cinagarthe, identified as the captain, 44, Quijije -Menoscal, 44, and Carvajal- Mero, 51.
Shortly after the suspects were arrested, the second boat was detected, which "on recognizing the presence of the coastguards, they fled," the ministry said.
The second speedboat, which had similar characteristics to the first one, was also stopped without registration. However, it was identified by a Costa Rican flag and its crew members were all Costa Ricans.
During the inspection of the boat, officers found several doses of marijuana, seven thousand colones in cash and electronic communication equipment, the ministry said.
The four-man crew was arrested and were identified with the surnames of Morales -Mendoza, 28, Madrigal- Arrieta, 27, Benavidez -García, 25 and Cascante-Vásquez, 33.
In addition to the arrests of the seven men, the Coast Guard seized the two boats, the drugs, and other items as evidence in the case and charged the suspects with international drug trafficking.
The evidence was transferred to the Coast Guard station in Quepos Beach, Puntarenas Province, where officers from the Drug Control Police (PCD) took charge of the case.
The seven men were taken to the cells of the Public Ministry where they were interrogated by the agents of the Judicial Investigation Organization and after that, they must wait until a judge orders the pre-trial measures against them as suspects of international drug trafficking.
The video of the chase can be seen on the ministry's Facebook page.
The U.S. Coast Guard has continuously offered help to Costa Rican authorities in drug trafficking cases.
The most recent case was on November 13, when U.S. Coast Guard officers arrested two Costa Ricans on suspicion of transporting more than 500 kilos of cocaine.
According to the report of the Drug Control Police, the case began during a routine patrol carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard, near the country's Pacific Coast.
The U.S. team was crossing international waters in the Pacific Ocean when a ship was detected. The boat detained was registered in Costa Rica under the name of "Pura Vida Tours Bahía II" with the registration plates PQ-8812, the Security Ministry said.
During a more detailed search of the boat, the U.S. Coast Guard found bags containing cocaine, for a total shipment of approximately 508 kilos.
The U.S. officers detained the crew of two Costa Ricans, surnamed Espinoza- Porras, 33, and Chinchilla- Araya, 23, the ministry said.
In addition to arresting the suspects, U.S. officials seized the drug, the boat, and $5 in cash.
The U.S. Coast Guard transported the suspects and the rest of the evidence to Golfito Port, Puntarenas Province, where Costa Rican authorities continued with the case.
The suspects were taken to the cells of the Public Ministry where they were interrogated by the judicial agents and waiting until a judge ordered pre-trial jail against them for the alleged crime of drug trafficking.
Video of the confiscated drugs being delivered to Costa Rican authorities can be seen on the ministry's Facebook page.
Judicial agents ask people to report any suspected drug sale activity to police by calling the confidential tip line at 800-8000-645, in English or Spanish.
-----------------------------
Have you heard of cocaine being sold in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
|
