The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs announced Wednesday a reward of up to $500,000 for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Alejandro Arias-Monge, also known as “Diablo,” (devil), a Costa Rican national and the country's most wanted fugitive.

The reward is offered under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) and applies to tips that result in Arias’ arrest or conviction in any country.

According to the U.S. Department of State, Arias leads a violent transnational criminal organization. He is currently wanted in Costa Rica on multiple warrants for drug trafficking, robbery, aggravated homicide, and money laundering.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that Arias has coordinated with various traffickers and drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) to move multi-hundred-kilogram shipments of cocaine originating from Colombia. The narcotics are smuggled through Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala, en route to Mexico and ultimately the United States.

Authorities say Arias' organization uses social media to spread fear, posting images of firearms, threats directed at the public and government officials, and even videos of murders. Law enforcement agencies in both the U.S. and Costa Rica have identified Arias-controlled criminal cells operating in all seven provinces of Costa Rica.


The reward is authorized by the U.S. Secretary of State as part of the TOCRP, a program aimed at disrupting transnational criminal networks worldwide.

Anyone with information that could help locate Alejandro Arias-Monge is urged to contact the DEA by Phone/Text/WhatsApp/Signal +1-956-517-7023 or by emailing CRInfo@dea.gov

Individuals in Costa Rica may also contact the U.S. Embassy located at 98th Street and 104th Avenue in Pavas, San José, or call the consulate at (506) 2519-2000.

A.M. Costa Rica encourages readers to share this Red Notice with their networks to help spread awareness and support the search for this fugitive.

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What more should the United States do to help Costa Rica locate and apprehend dangerous drug traffickers? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com