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    Photo via Judicial Investigation Organization.
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Published
on Wednesday, November 20,
2024
By
the A.M. Costa Rica
staff
On
Wednesday, agents from the Judicial
Investigation Organization (OIJ)
arrested a Canadian male (63) and a
U.S.-Canadian dual citizenship female
(38), on suspicion of forming a
drug-dealing gang in Guanacaste
Province. Along
with the two North American citizens,
three Costa Ricans, two men and one
woman, were arrested. The
investigation began in September when
officials received an anonymous tip
about a group of drug dealers
operating throughout Guanacaste,
according to the police report. After
a month-long investigation, agents
raided the suspects' houses in the
cantons of Santa Cruz
and Tamarindo Beach.
The
anti-drug operation resulted in the
arrests of the suspects and the
seizure of drugs including
hallucinogenic mushrooms, crack,
marijuana, and cocaine, authorities
said. The
narcotics, cash, and other evidence
were confiscated as part of the
investigation. Authorities
did not reveal the identity of the
suspects, who were taken to the
Guanacaste Public Ministry's cells for
interrogation by judicial agents. They
are currently awaiting the judge's
orders on pre-trial measures against
them as alleged drug dealers.
Authorities
urged to
report any
suspicion of
drug sales or
trafficking to
the ten-digit
confidential
line
800-8000-645
or fast line
11-76,
where
bilingual
agents can
answer calls
in English or
Spanish. The Judicial
Investigation
Organization
(OIJ), a
division of
the Supreme
Court of
Justice,
conducts
criminal
investigations.
Officers in
the
operational
unit have the
authority to
use police
power across
the country,
including the
authority to
arrest.
According to
the U.S.
Embassy, a
consular
officer visits
an arrested
U.S. citizen
after being
notified by
Costa Rican
authorities to
ascertain the
arrestee’s
physical
well-being and
conditions of
arrest,
provide
information on
legal
procedures,
including a
list of
attorneys,
and, if the
prisoner
wishes, notify
family or
friends. "However,
consular
officers can't
act as
attorneys or
legal
representatives
nor affect the
release of
arrested
American
citizens," the
Embassy noted
in its
statement. If a U.S.
citizen is
arrested,
Costa Rican
authorities
should notify
the U.S.
Embassy
immediately.
They are
obligated to
notify a U.S.
consular
officer of the
arrest unless
the individual
asks that they
not do so. "In limited
circumstances,
consular
officers can
also serve as
liaisons
between you
and your
family and
provide you
with a list of
local
attorneys,"
they added. The Embassy
officers can
also assist
with the
transfer of
funds from
family or
friends to pay
attorneys’
fees and for
the suspect
upkeep while
incarcerated. "If you are
imprisoned for
a lengthy
period, a
consular
officer will
visit you
periodically,
at least once
every three to
four months, "
they noted. This is one
of numerous
cases of North
American
citizens
arrested in
Costa Rica. Recently,
authorities
arrested and
deported a
U.S. citizen
male surnamed
Hank (32) to
the United
States.
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