Agents from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) have arrested two Czech nationals in southern Costa Rica.

The suspects, a 52-year-old man identified by the last name Zitnik and his 37-year-old wife, Jukubcova, were the subjects of an Interpol Red Notice, an international request to locate and detain individuals sought for extradition.

According to the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ), the couple was apprehended around 5 p.m. Wednesday while in a public area in Puerto Jiménez canton, in Puntarenas province.

Authorities said the Red Notice was issued by the Czech Republic due to charges involving the illicit production of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and poisons.

Following standard security protocols, both individuals were taken into custody and transferred to the Migration Apprehension Center in San José. They will remain there while extradition proceedings to the Czech Republic are underway.

Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, officials will not release additional information. Only immediate family members may request further details at this time.

The arrest of the Czech couple is one of several recent cases involving foreign nationals wanted abroad and captured in Costa Rica.

Earlier this month, Costa Rica extradited former Panamanian presidential candidate David Ochy to Panama, where he faces charges related to fraud and money laundering.

Ochy was a pre-candidate for Panama’s 2024 presidential elections, running under the party of former President Ricardo Martinelli. His candidacy initially granted him immunity from prosecution, but that protection was later revoked.

In July 2023, Martinelli was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering. He was also ordered to pay a $19.2 million fine.

Ochy was wanted by Interpol in connection with the same case and was arrested in Costa Rica in December 2023.

In a separate case, Costa Rican authorities recently detained a Russian national in San José who was wanted for fraud and money laundering.

The OIJ is urging the public to report anyone who may be the subject of an Interpol Red Notice. Confidential tips can be submitted by calling the toll-free hotline at 800-8000-645 or the rapid-response line at 11-76. Bilingual agents are available to assist in both English and Spanish.

The OIJ is a division of Costa Rica’s Supreme Court of Justice and is responsible for conducting criminal investigations nationwide.

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