A joint operation led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Costa Rican authorities resulted in the seizure of 500 kilograms of cocaine, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Security (MSP) said.

The operation took place Monday after DEA agents alerted Costa Rican authorities to a suspected cocaine shipment moving through Puntarenas Province.

Acting on the intelligence, agents of the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) launched a surveillance operation to locate and intercept the two vehicles near the Tárcoles River bridge in Puntarenas. Officers identified two SUV matching the description provided by the DEA.

Police stopped the two vehicles and conducted a search, discovering multiple packages of cocaine hidden in a concealed compartment beneath the seats.

Authorities identified one of the drivers as a 43-year-old man with the surname Araica. He was traveling with his 17-year-old daughter.

The other driver was Araica 21-year-old son, and he was traveling with a 20-year-old woman with the surname Palacios. All four were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking.

A subsequent inspection by Drug Control Police agents confirmed the seizure totaled 500 packages of cocaine weighing approximately one kilogram each.

Officials also confiscated the two vehicles, documents and other items as evidence.

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. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish.

The operation was conducted under the Joint Patrol Treaty between Costa Rica and the United States.

Recently, Costa Rica and the United States signed an amendment to the treaty, expanding the agreement to include efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in addition to illicit maritime drug trafficking.

As part of the treaty, Congress (the Legislative Assembly) authorized the arrival of 195 U.S. Coast Guard vessels in the country.

According to the U.S. Department of State, the United States has provided more than $269 million in bilateral and regional security assistance to Costa Rica since 2018. The 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 organizations.

The MSP is Costa Rica’s national security agency responsible for citizen safety, maintaining public order and leading anti-crime efforts.

The OIJ is a division of Costa Rica’s Supreme Court of Justice, conducts criminal investigations nationwide and has national police authority.

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