Costa Rican authorities, working with Interpol, deported two foreign nationals to France on Thursday to face charges involving murder and international drug trafficking, the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) announced.

According to the OIJ, one of the suspects is a 68-year-old French national identified by the last name Basile, who is wanted in connection with the murder of another French national identified by the last name Gazel. The killing reportedly occurred in October 2021 in Santa Cruz Canton, Guanacaste Province. French authorities are seeking Basile's extradition to stand trial in France.

The second deportee is a 48-year-old Colombian national identified by the last name Pablot. He held residency in Costa Rica and was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of French authorities, who suspect him of involvement in international drug trafficking.

According to the international arrest warrant, Pablot was living in Costa Rica when authorities arrested him in September 2025.

Both men were held at the Immigration Apprehension Center in San José while authorities completed the transfer process. They were subsequently transferred to France on Thursday through Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela Province.

The OIJ is urging the public to report suspected cases of individuals living in Costa Rica who are wanted under Interpol Red Notices.  Tips can be submitted confidentially through the 10-digit hotline at 800-8000-645 or the fast line at 11-76. Bilingual agents are available to assist callers in English and Spanish.

The deportations are among several cases involving foreign nationals sent out of Costa Rica because of criminal records or outstanding criminal warrants. Last month, Costa Rican authorities deported three Mexican nationals wanted in the United States on federal drug trafficking charges.

In a related development, the U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program recently announced rewards of up to $10 million for information leading to the disruption of the financial networks and funding mechanisms of drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

The OIJ operates under the Supreme Court of Justice and is responsible for conducting criminal investigations nationwide. It also exercises police authority throughout the country.

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