As part of the Joint Patrol Treaty, the U.S. Coast Guard recently led an anti-drug operation off the Caribbean Coast, resulting in the arrest of three drug trafficking suspects and the seizure of over 2 tons of marijuana shipment.

According to the Ministry of Public Security (MSP), the operation began on Sunday when a U.S. Coast Guard vessel identified a suspicious 30-foot go-fast boat, crossing the Costa Rica Caribbean Coast with no visible registration plate number or country flag.

U.S. authorities provided the Costa Rican Coast Guard with the boat’s coordinates, instructing them to intercept the vessel about 143 nautical miles off the coast of Limón Beach, in Limón Province.

The boat’s three Nicaraguan male crew members were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking.

The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) works closely with Costa Rican security forces in the fight against drug trafficking. Through ongoing cooperation, Costa Rica has been able to intercept and seize illicit drugs, with record-breaking narcotics seizures in 2020 and 2021—72.7 and 71.1 metric tons, respectively.

The U.S. has provided more than $269 million in bilateral and regional security assistance to help modernize Costa Rica’s security forces, improve local security, combat corruption, and strengthen the justice sector’s ability to investigate and prosecute transnational criminals.

This assistance includes equipment donations, training, and technical support to bolster Costa Rica's capacity to confront organized crime and drug trafficking.

The U.S. recently donated $1.8 million to Costa Rica to refurbish one of the country’s largest Coast Guard patrol vessels.

Last month, Costa Rica issued a regulation on medicinal products based on cannabis, to oversee the use of medical cannabis in the country.

In November 2024, the government introduced a bill to legalize recreational cannabis, but the Constitutional Chamber ruled it unconstitutional, citing conflicts with the country’s democratic constitution.

To boost exports, Costa Rica legalized medical cannabis and hemp production in 2022. However, recreational use, self-cultivation, and personal consumption remain illegal.

In 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture authorized the state-owned National University (UNA) to import hemp seeds from Canada for cultivation and research.

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