The suspects, a 59-year-old woman identified by the surname Landeros and a 39-year-old man identified as Michel, were deported to the United States under an international Red Notice, according to the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ).

U.S. authorities, through the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), had alerted about the detention order for both suspects.

Michel is wanted by U.S. officials on charges of international drug trafficking and money laundering. He is accused of transferring millions of dollars in cryptocurrency from the U.S. to criminal organizations in Mexico. Alegedly the funds were proceeds from narcotics sales on U.S. soil. He was arrested in June 2024 at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela Province after arriving on a flight from Mexico.

Landeros is also sought by U.S. authorities in connection with a drug trafficking and money laundering operation that allegedly operated in the U.S. between 2021 and 2024. She was taken into custody in July 2024 at SJO upon arrival from Mexico.

Both suspects were held at the Migration Detention Center in the Hatillo District of San José Province until their extradition process was achieved on Wednesday.

The case marks one of several extraditions involving the United States and Costa Rica in recent months. In March, a Costa Rican man identified as Santos was deported from the U.S. to Costa Rica, also on drug trafficking charges.

Costa Rica and the United States signed an extradition treaty in 1982, ratified by the Costa Rican Congress in 1991. The agreement promotes bilateral cooperation in criminal matters and allows for the mutual extradition of fugitives.

The OIJ, a division of the Supreme Court of Justice, is responsible for criminal investigations in Costa Rica and has nationwide law enforcement authority.