A joint anti-narcotics operation led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS) resulted in the seizure of approximately 3 tons of cocaine and the arrest of six suspects off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, authorities said.

The Ministry of Public Security (MSP) said the operation began Saturday after U.S. officials alerted Costa Rican authorities to two suspicious go-fast vessels traveling offshore near Hatillo Beach, in Puntarenas province. Both 32-foot boats lacked visible registration numbers or national flags.

Acting on coordinates provided by U.S. authorities, the Costa Rican Coast Guard intercepted the first vessel. During an onboard inspection, officers found large sacks containing dozens of packages believed to be cocaine. One suspect was detained on board, while authorities believe other crew members jumped into the sea and were not located.

The second vessel attempted to flee at high speed after spotting police but ran aground on the beach, officials said. Its crew abandoned the boat and fled into a nearby wooded area.

Coast Guard officers coordinated with the Special Operations Group (GOPES) on land to pursue the suspects. Authorities said the individuals were intercepted as they attempted to enter two vehicles to escape. During the encounter, the suspects allegedly opened fire on officers. Five suspects were arrested at the scene. Meanwhile, Coast Guard personnel secured the grounded vessel.

Both boats were towed to the Coast Guard station in Quepos Beach, where specialists from the Drug Control Police conducted a detailed inspection. Investigators counted more than 3,000 packages of cocaine, each weighing about 1 kilogram, for a total of approximately 3 tons.

Authorities also seized the vessels, the narcotics, a firearm, the vehicles allegedly used in the attempted escape, fuel and electronic navigation equipment.

The suspects’ names were not released by authorities. They remain in custody under the jurisdiction of the Puntarenas office of the Public Ministry. Prosecutors are seeking pretrial detention on charges of international drug trafficking.

Officials urged the public to report suspected drug activity through Costa Rica’s confidential 10-digit hotline at 800-8000-645 or its rapid-response line at 1176. Both services operate in English and Spanish.

The operation was conducted under the Joint Maritime Patrol Treaty between Costa Rica and the United States, which facilitates coordinated anti-drug efforts. The U.S. recently donated two mobile scanners to Costa Rica to strengthen security at major border crossings and enhance efforts against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.

Costa Rica also recently joined a U.S.-led regional agreement aimed at combating criminal cartels and organized crime in the Western Hemisphere during the Shield of the Americas Summit.

Earlier this month, U.S. authorities recognized Costa Rica’s commitment to combating drug trafficking following the success of Operation Blue Marlin, a joint maritime counternarcotics initiative carried out throughout January 2026.

Since 2018, the U.S. Department of State has provided more than $269 million in bilateral and regional security assistance to Costa Rica. 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 Public Security Ministry (MSP) is the national agency responsible for citizen safety, public order and anti-crime efforts.

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