Agents from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) have arrested a French national, identified by the surname Ferchichi (26) who was the subject of a Red Notice, an international request to detain him, on multiple felony charges.

According to the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ), Ferchichi was detained at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela province as he prepared to board a flight bound for Canada.

Airport officers conducting a routine inspection in the boarding area discovered the Red Notice, which had been issued on March 14, 2025, by French authorities.

The charges against Ferchichi include drug trafficking offenses, criminal association, money laundering, and trafficking of arms and military equipment, among other serious crimes. The offenses were allegedly committed between 2024 and 2025.

Following established security protocols, Ferchichi was taken into custody and transferred to the Migration Apprehension Center in San José, where he will remain pending extradition proceedings to France.

Authorities have withheld further details due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. Only immediate family members may request additional information.

The OIJ is encouraging the public to report any individuals suspected of having an international Red Notice. Tips may be submitted confidentially by calling the hotline at 800-8000-645 or the quick line at 11-76. Bilingual agents are available to assist in both English and Spanish.

Ferchichi's case adds to a growing list of foreign nationals with international warrants being apprehended in Costa Rica. In April, two Mexican citizens wanted by the United States on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering were deported.

The OIJ, a division of Costa Rica’s Supreme Court of Justice, conducts criminal investigations. Officers in this operational unit have nationwide police authority. 

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