DEA-Led Operation In Costa Rica Targets Suspected Sinaloa Cartel Members

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Published on Saturday, September 12, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

A joint operation led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Costa Rican authorities resulted in the arrest of five suspected members of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, the Ministry of Public Security (MSP) announced.

According to authorities, the Sinaloa Cartel is a large and powerful transnational organized crime syndicate involved in drug trafficking and based in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico.

The criminal organization has been Mexico’s most dominant drug cartel since the 1990s. It was founded by Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera, commonly known as “El Chapo,” who was considered one of the world’s most powerful drug traffickers. Guzmán was extradited to the United States in January 2017 and was sentenced to life in prison in 2019.

The operation began Thursday and was carried out with support from the DEA as part of international cooperation efforts to combat transnational organized crime networks.

Based on intelligence provided by the DEA, officers from the Drug Control Police (PCD) and the Special Support Unit (UEA) carried out a series of raids at several private properties in the provinces of San José, Alajuela and Puntarenas.

The operation was ordered by the Drug Trafficking Prosecutor’s Office and resulted in the arrest of five suspects allegedly linked to the Mexican drug trafficking cartel. One suspect, identified by the surname Romero, is believed to be the group’s leader.

Also arrested were a Peruvian national and three Costa Rican men. Authorities did not provide the names of the four other suspects.

“The five men are allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, a criminal organization that operates in Mexico,” said Stephen Madden, director of the Drug Control Police.

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In addition to the arrests, officers seized cocaine, cash, weapons, cellphones, ammunition, documents and other items that will be used as evidence in the case.

The suspects are currently being held at the Prosecutor's Office facilities in San José, where authorities are seeking pretrial detention on international drug trafficking charges.

Regarding the case, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement, “Cooperation between the United States and Costa Rica continues to produce concrete results against drug trafficking and organized crime.”

Authorities urged the public to report suspected drug trafficking through a confidential 10-digit hotline at 800-8000-645 or through the rapid-response line at 1176. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish.

According to the U.S. Department of State, the United States has provided nearly $270 million in bilateral and regional security assistance to Costa Rica since 2018. The support includes equipment, training and technical expertise to strengthen law enforcement, combat organized crime and improve the justice system’s capacity to prosecute transnational criminal groups.

The case comes as the United States and Costa Rica continue expanding security cooperation against transnational organized crime. Recently, a joint counternarcotics operation led by the U.S. Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS) resulted in the seizure of approximately 2 tons of cocaine and the arrest of three suspects off Costa Rica's Pacific Coast.

The Public Security Ministry (MSP) is the government department responsible for citizen safety, public order and efforts to combat crime.

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What additional support should the United States provide to 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