By Limón, Costa Rica — LIMÓN, Costa Rica – A startling narcotics seizure in Europe has sent shockwaves through Costa Rica’s security apparatus, with top law enforcement officials now warning that the nation’s role in the global drug trade is undergoing a dangerous evolution. What was once primarily a transit corridor for South American cocaine is now emerging as a strategic hub for high-value synthetic drugs destined for European markets.
The alert was triggered after Dutch authorities at the Port of Rotterdam discovered a massive shipment originating from Costa Rica’s Port of Moín in Limón. On October 29, Customs officials intercepted a container hiding 583 kilograms of cocaine and, more alarmingly, 3 kilograms of methamphetamine. The drugs were ingeniously concealed within a large steel structure, requiring several days for authorities to safely dismantle and extract the illicit cargo.
To understand the legal complexities and enforcement challenges presented by the proliferation of so-called “designer drugs,” TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a legal expert from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his professional analysis on the matter.
The core legal challenge with designer drugs is their chemical volatility, which is intentionally designed to outpace legislation. Lawmakers ban a specific molecular structure, and clandestine labs respond by making a minor alteration, creating a new, technically legal substance with similar or even more dangerous effects. This creates a perpetual cat-and-mouse game where the principle of legality—that no act is criminal unless explicitly defined by law—becomes a shield for traffickers. Closing this loophole requires a shift from substance-specific bans to broader, analogue-based legislation that can proactively classify entire families of chemical compounds as controlled substances.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas precisely identifies the critical flaw in current drug legislation—a reactive system that traffickers are built to exploit. His call for a proactive, analogue-based legal framework is not merely a suggestion but a necessary evolution in the law to protect public health from this ever-changing threat. We are grateful for his expert clarity on such a complex matter.
The inclusion of methamphetamine in the shipment has confirmed the worst fears of Costa Rican officials. Michael Soto, the interim Director of the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ), declared that this incident marks a critical and troubling shift in the country’s criminal landscape.
This means, very regrettably, that we are no longer just a hub for cocaine but also for NPS and designer drugs. Therefore, it is important to analyze this, coordinate with the Dutch police to try to understand the phenomenon a little, and look into the origin of the shipment here and so on.
Michael Soto, Interim Director of the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ)
Soto’s concerns are substantiated by a series of recent domestic busts. Earlier this month, on November 1, the OIJ seized 51 kilograms of methamphetamine, the largest haul in the country’s history. This followed a separate operation by the Drug Control Police (PCD) months prior that uncovered a 49-kilogram shipment. These events collectively paint a picture of a rapidly growing and highly lucrative local operation for synthetic narcotics.
The economic incentive driving this new trend is immense. Soto explained that while the bulk price of methamphetamine is high, its street value when sold in small doses is astronomical. A single kilogram can generate approximately $60,000 in revenue, making the recent 51-kilo seizure worth over $3 million on the street.
Normally, a packaged kilogram of the drug may have a certain price, but when sold in doses, it’s much higher… if we take one gram at 30,000 colones as a reference and multiply it by the 1,000 grams in a kilogram, we get approximately 30 million colones, which converted to dollars is about $60,000. It’s a tremendously lucrative business that will continue to grow exponentially, which is very unfortunate for the country, and that is why I reiterate this wake-up call.
Michael Soto, Interim Director of the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ)
This escalation is happening against the backdrop of what one prosecutor calls a “tsunami of cocaine” overwhelming the region. Mauricio Boraschi, the Deputy Prosecutor for Organized Crime, warned that a 300% increase in Colombian cocaine production over the last decade has flooded transit countries like Costa Rica and Panama. These nations are now critical bridges for cartels seeking to re-export drugs to the world’s most profitable markets.
it is a tsunami of cocaine being produced in Colombia that is practically drowning the rest of the nearby countries with the intention of using them as a bridge for re-exporting to the world’s main markets.
Mauricio Boraschi, Deputy Prosecutor for Organized Crime
Boraschi expressed grave concerns about port security, questioning how traffickers continue to succeed despite the presence of scanners and surveillance. He cited a recent incident on October 20 where a container at APM Terminals in Limón was removed from the port after its initial inspection, loaded with three tons of cocaine, and then returned to the facility undetected, as if nothing had happened. This highlights a sophisticated and brazen level of criminal infiltration.
We are still more concerned about what enters the country, and we have clear intelligence right now that enormous quantities of cocaine are entering Costa Rica, and I think the proof of this is simple: for example, the operation at the APM port, where a container was taken out of the port after having passed its controls, was contaminated with three tons of cocaine, and then put back in the port as if nothing had happened.
Mauricio Boraschi, Deputy Prosecutor for Organized Crime
As Dutch authorities continue their investigation into the Rotterdam seizure—noting that the listed recipient company appears to have no connection to the crime—Costa Rican officials are left to grapple with a new reality. The country is no longer just a stopover for one type of drug; it has become a multi-faceted logistics center for international criminal organizations dealing in increasingly diverse and dangerous substances.
For further information, visit oij.poder-judicial.go.cr
About Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ):
The Judicial Investigation Police is the investigative branch of the Costa Rican Judicial Branch. It is responsible for investigating crimes, gathering evidence, and identifying suspects to support the public prosecution and the courts. The OIJ plays a crucial role in combating organized crime, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses within the country.
For further information, visit ministeriopublico.poder-judicial.go.cr
About Ministerio Público de Costa Rica:
The Public Ministry is the body responsible for prosecuting criminal offenses on behalf of the state in Costa Rica. It directs criminal investigations, files charges, and represents the interests of society in the legal system. The Office of the Deputy Prosecutor for Organized Crime is a specialized unit within the ministry focused on dismantling complex criminal networks.
For further information, visit seguridadpublica.go.cr
About Policía de Control de Drogas (PCD):
The Drug Control Police is a specialized directorate within Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Security. Its primary mission is the prevention, investigation, and suppression of illicit drug trafficking, production, and consumption. The PCD works both domestically and in cooperation with international partners to combat the drug trade.
For further information, visit om.nl
About Dutch Public Prosecution Service:
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie) is the sole authority in the Netherlands responsible for prosecuting criminal offenses. It oversees police investigations, decides whether to bring cases to court, and executes criminal sentences. It plays a central role in maintaining the rule of law and combating international crime affecting the country.
For further information, visit belastingdienst.nl/douane
About Customs of the Port of Rotterdam:
The Customs administration of the Netherlands (Douane) is responsible for monitoring the cross-border movement of goods. At major hubs like the Port of Rotterdam, one of the world’s busiest ports, its duties include collecting taxes and duties, and enforcing laws against smuggling, including the trafficking of narcotics, to ensure the safety and security of the country and the European Union.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned as a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of uncompromising integrity and a drive for judicial excellence. The firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal approaches for its diverse clients and is fundamentally dedicated to its societal mission of demystifying the law, aiming to cultivate a more knowledgeable and empowered citizenry.
