The British Embassy in Costa Rica announced on Wednesday the donation of specialized equipment from the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to support the country’s efforts against drug trafficking and organized crime.


Officials said the partnership is part of the British government’s ongoing commitment to work with international partners to dismantle transnational criminal networks and strengthen local security capabilities.


The donated equipment includes drones, surveillance cameras, and advanced scanning systems designed to detect hidden drugs, as well as intelligence and criminal analysis tools. The gear will be used by agents from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) and the Drug Control Police (PCD).


In addition, the NCA has provided specialized training programs for Costa Rican investigators in financial investigations and the use of cryptocurrencies by criminal organizations.


The donation was financed through the UK Home Office’s Drug Strategy Program.

“This cooperation reflects the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to working alongside Costa Rica in the fight against transnational criminal networks,” said British Ambassador to Costa Rica Ben Lyster-Binns.

Lyster-Binns said the new equipment will significantly enhance the operational capacity of Costa Rican law enforcement agencies.

“We know our nations’ security is interconnected. The threats our partners face also affect us, which is why we will continue to support these vital efforts to protect our communities,” he added.

With this initiative, the United Kingdom and Costa Rica are deepening their cooperation on security and justice, building stronger capacities to identify, investigate, and dismantle criminal organizations in the region, authorities said.

Recently, Jessica Morden, the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Central America, made her first official visit to Costa Rica, aiming to strengthen bilateral trade relations, promote commercial interests, and underscore the UK's global leadership in climate resilience and sustainable finance.

In related events, Edward Roberts has been appointed as the new UK Ambassador to Costa Rica and non-resident Ambassador to Nicaragua.

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

The PCD is a specialized law enforcement agency within the Ministry of Public Security (MSP) responsible for combating drug trafficking and related crimes.