U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents, working with Costa Rican authorities, arrested four Costa Rican men for extradition to the United States, where they are accused of participating in an international drug trafficking network.

The arrests were made at the request of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, U.S., according to the Public Ministry (MP).

The suspects were identified by their last names: Corella-Amador, Cordero-Obregón, Castro-Muñoz, and Ramírez-Arguedas.

The joint operation involved the Attorney General’s Office, the Public Ministry (MP), the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ), the Drug Control Police (PCD), and officers from the Ministry of Public Security.

U.S. authorities allege the men are from southern Costa Rica and helped transport cocaine by sea, air, and land from Colombia to Costa Rica, then to Mexico, and ultimately into the United States. The alleged trafficking occurred between 2017 and 2020.

Investigators say the group used aircraft operating from clandestine airstrips along the Pacific Coast, with one of its main hubs reportedly based in San Vito District, Coto Brus Canton, in Puntarenas Province.

The U.S. indictment also claims the organization had a base in Golfito Beach, Puntarenas, where it coordinated the transport and storage of large quantities of cocaine arriving by sea. Authorities have linked the group to the seizure of more than three tons of narcotics.

“No matter the level or role of any individual within a criminal organization, the close cooperation between the Attorney General’s Office, Costa Rican authorities, and the DEA will continue,” Attorney General Carlo Díaz said.

The OIJ is urging the public to report individuals who may be the subject of an international Red Notice. Confidential tips can be submitted via the 10-digit hotline 800-8000-645 or the quick line 11-76. Bilingual agents are available to assist in both English and Spanish.

Since a legal reform took effect in May 2025, allowing Costa Rican citizens, by birth or naturalization, to be extradited to countries with which Costa Rica has signed treaties, at least 12 nationals have been detained for extradition, according to the OIJ. Those include eight cases to the United States, two to France, one to Italy, and one to Panama.

Costa Rican authorities last week deported a 50-year-old Croatian national identified by his last name, Miroslav, who was wanted on fraud and money laundering charges.

In related news, the San José Criminal Court has approved the extradition of three Costa Rican citizens to the United States, marking the first time in the country’s history that nationals will be extradited.

The OIJ, a division of the Supreme Court of Justice, is responsible for conducting criminal investigations and holds nationwide police authority.

The MP is the government agency responsible for prosecuting criminal cases and supervising investigations.