The court in Coto Brus canton, in the province of Puntarenas, has ordered pretrial detention for a Japanese man, identified by the surname Motoaki, who is indicted of illegally trading, trafficking, or transporting wildlife, the local Prosecutor’s Office announced.

Motoaki was arrested last week in the San Vito district after police spotted him catching insects during a routine patrol in a wildlife area near Sabanillas town, in the canton of Coto Brus.

Upon investigation, authorities determined he did not have the required permits for insect collection.

During the arrest, police searched Motoaki’s vehicle and luggage, uncovering various collection tools, including nets, containers, and bags.

Officers also found more than 200 butterflies stored in containers. Some insects had already been packaged, and most of the butterflies were dead, officials reported.

Motoaki will remain in custody for at least 10 days while authorities determine whether to bring him to trial for violating Costa Rica’s Wildlife Conservation Law.

Authorities have not disclosed further details about the case. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have kept the case confidential. Only the victim’s family members are authorized to request additional information.

Under Wildlife Conservation Law No. 7317, hunting, trading, or keeping wild animals in captivity is illegal in Costa Rica. Those found guilty of holding wild species may face fines ranging from $600 to $26,000 or a prison sentence of one to three years.

Authorities encourage the public to report suspected cases of wildlife trafficking or captivity by calling the confidential bilingual tip line at 800-8000-645.

In a similar case in December 2024, police arrested a German man, named Ferdinand, for allegedly collecting tropical insects.

The Ministry of Public Security (MSP) is the government agency responsible for maintaining public order, ensuring citizen security, forming police units, and coordinating anti-crime initiatives.