The U.S. government donated ten Nighthawk scanners worth $800,000 to the Ministry of Security through the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL).

The aid was announced on Tuesday by U.S. Ambassador Cynthia A. Telles, President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles and Minister of Public Security Mario Zamora-Cordero.

The Nighthawk handheld X-ray backscatter imaging scanners are manufactured by the U.S. company Viken Detection headquartered in Burlington Massachusetts.

The equipment has laser-focused vision to see what is invisible to the human eye, detecting concealed contraband, weapons, narcotics and explosives in luggage, barrels, vehicles, upholstery, and many other applications, the company said in its statement.

In addition, the diplomatic mission will provide training on how to use the equipment to officers from the Coast Guard, Air Surveillance, Border Police, and other law enforcement organizations.

The donation was one of the U.S. commitments made during talks with President Chaves and U.S. General Laura Richardson, Commander of SOUTHCOM, in March, as well as U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in February.

Police officers will manage the gears at General Directorate Immigration border crossings in Tablillas District, Alajuela Province, Peñas Blancas Canton, Guanacaste Province, and Paso Canoas Canton, Puntarenas Province, authorities added.

Furthermore, officers will use the gadgets at docks and airports to inspect cargo in airplanes, boats, bags and vehicles.

Ambassador Telles announced that the U.S. will shortly donate more high-tech scanners valued at $17 million. The equipment will be installed in the ports of Japdeva in Limón Province and Caldera in Puntarenas Province.

In June, the U.S. ​​donated almost $700,000 to Costa Rica to improve security tactics and equipment for police officers and agents of the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ).

As part of the Joint Patrol Treaty with the U.S., the U.S. Coast Guard regularly assists Costa Rica in anti-drug operations.  Recently, U.S. officials led the arrest of five Colombians as suspects of trafficking more than a half-ton of cocaine.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, Costa Rica seized 43.5 tons of drugs and arrested over 190,000 offense suspects in 2023.

INL works closely with Costa Rican security partners.

Through cooperation and assistance from INL and other law enforcement agencies, Costa Rica confronts its drug trafficking problem by intercepting and confiscating illicit drugs.

Narcotics seizures by the Costa Rican government hit new records in 2020 and 2021, with 72.7 and 71.1 metric tons seized respectively. However, seizures declined in 2022 to 54.3 metric tons, according to the U.S. Department of State.

The U.S. assigned over $269 million in bilateral and regional security assistance to strengthen and modernize Costa Rica’s security forces, improve local security throughout the country, reduce the influence of corruption, and enhance the justice sector’s ability to investigate and prosecute transnational criminals, the Department of State, added in its statement.

This assistance includes equipment donations, training, and technical assistance that enhance Costa Rica’s capacity to confront the growing threat of organized crime and drug trafficking. 

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