Published on Friday, July 24, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

A major law enforcement operation led by Costa Rica's Prosecutor's Office and the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) on Friday resulted in the arrest of Costa Rican national Alejandro Arias-Monge, also known as "Diablo" (Devil), the country's most wanted fugitive and the alleged leader of a major drug trafficking organization.

Arias is also wanted by U.S. authorities. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs had offered a reward of up to $500,000 for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

According to the OIJ, the operation began at approximately 5 a.m. in a wooded area of Río Frío District in Sarapiquí Canton, Heredia Province. The operation involved OIJ agents, the Special Tactical Response Service (SERT) and the Surveillance and Tracking Unit (UVISE).

Authorities located Arias, who had been a fugitive for the past 10 years, at a private property where he was allegedly living with two other men who are also under investigation on suspicion of drug trafficking.

Police said the three suspects exchanged gunfire with officers for more than an hour in an attempt to avoid capture.

The two additional suspects were identified by the surnames Pérez-Méndez, who was arrested, and Ríos-Oconitrillo, who was killed during the shootout.

At least eight OIJ agents were injured during the operation.

With assistance from the Red Cross and a large security deployment, the injured officers were airlifted from the scene to San José aboard a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft, where they received specialized medical treatment.

Arias and Pérez were transported under heavy security to the Prosecutor's Office in San José. Both are expected to be questioned by prosecutors before appearing before a judge, who will determine pretrial measures as they face allegations of participating in a criminal drug trafficking organization.

President Laura Fernández, who was in Guanacaste Province on Friday as part of her official schedule for the Guanacaste Day celebrations, congratulated law enforcement authorities on Arias' capture.

Speaking to reporters, Fernández thanked the country's security forces on behalf of the Costa Rican people for capturing one of the nation's most wanted fugitives.

"During the 10 years he remained a fugitive, he was responsible for the deaths of approximately 100 Costa Ricans," Fernández said.

"When we work together, when all of the country's law enforcement agencies focus on doing their jobs well, and when we build solutions as a team, that is the right way to confront the country's greatest challenge," she said, referring to drug trafficking.

"This high-profile criminal will finally face the justice he deserves after causing so much harm to the people of Costa Rica," she added.

The U.S. Embassy also issued a statement congratulating Costa Rican authorities on the arrest.

"He was the leader of a violent transnational criminal organization and Costa Rica's most wanted fugitive," the embassy said. "Arias had multiple arrest warrants in Costa Rica on charges including drug trafficking, robbery, homicide and money laundering."

The embassy also expressed support for the officers injured during the operation.

"Our thoughts are with the brave Costa Rican officers who were injured during this operation," U.S. authorities said. "We commend them for their courage and professionalism in carrying out this significant arrest."

In April 2025, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs announced a reward of up to $500,000 for information leading to Arias' arrest or conviction.

The reward was offered under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) and applies to information that results in his arrest or conviction in any country.


According to the U.S. State Department, Arias leads a violent transnational criminal organization and is wanted on multiple warrants for drug trafficking, robbery, aggravated homicide and money laundering.


The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said Arias coordinated with drug traffickers and drug trafficking organizations to move multi-hundred-kilogram shipments of cocaine originating in Colombia. The narcotics were smuggled through Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala before reaching Mexico and ultimately the United States.


The U.S. Secretary of State authorized the reward as part of the TOCRP, a program designed to disrupt transnational criminal organizations operating around the world.


The Costa Rican Public Prosecutor's Office is the judicial body responsible for directing criminal investigations and prosecuting criminal cases throughout the country.


The OIJ, which operates under Costa Rica’s Supreme Court of Justice, is responsible for conducting criminal investigations nationwide and exercises police authority throughout the country.

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What additional strategies should the United States and Costa Rica pursue together to combat transnational drug trafficking? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com