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Published
on Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By
the A.M. Costa Rica
staff
A
joint operation led by the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) and
the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) resulted
in the seizure of approximately 1.8
tons of cocaine and the arrest of
three suspects off Costa Rica’s
Pacific coast, authorities said. The
Ministry of Public Security (MSP) said
the operation began Tuesday after U.S.
authorities alerted local officials to
a suspicious go-fast vessel traveling
about 137 nautical miles offshore near
Matapalo Beach
in southern Puntarenas Province. The
40-foot boat had no visible
registration number or national flag. Acting
on coordinates provided by U.S.
officials, the Costa Rican Coast Guard
intercepted the vessel and detained
its three crew members. The suspects
were identified as Colombian nationals
with the last names Díaz (30),
Arboleda (35) and
Ortiz, 21. During
an onboard inspection, officers
discovered large sacks containing
dozens of packages believed to be
cocaine.
Officials also
seized the boat, the narcotics, fuel and electronic
navigation equipment as evidence.
The suspects
remain in custody under the jurisdiction
of the Puntarenas office of the Public
Ministry. Prosecutors are seeking
pretrial detention on international drug
trafficking charges.
Authorities urged the public to report suspected drug trafficking through Costa Rica’s confidential 10-digit hotline at 800-8000-645 or its rapid-response line at 1176. Both hotlines offer assistance in English and Spanish.
The
operation was carried out under the
Joint Maritime Patrol Treaty between
Costa Rica and the United States. As part of that
agreement, U.S. Air Force
advisers from the 571st Mobility
Support Advisory Squadron
recently completed a training
engagement with Costa Rica’s
Aerial Surveillance Service. Since
2018, the U.S. State Department has
provided more than $269 million in
bilateral and regional security
assistance to Costa Rica. That
support includes equipment, training and
technical expertise aimed at
strengthening law enforcement,
combating organized crime and
improving the justice system’s ability
to prosecute transnational criminal
groups.
The
MSP is the national security agency
responsible for citizen safety, public
order and
anti-crime efforts.
------------------ Should the United States expand its support for Costa Rica in the fight against drug trafficking? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com Professional's
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