By San José, Costa Rica — San José – A significant inter-agency operation was launched Monday in the Rincón Grande de Pavas district, signaling a major escalation in the government’s fight against environmental contamination. More than 70 officers from the Public Force, the Judicial Investigation Organism (OIJ), and the San José Municipal Police descended upon the area, focusing their efforts on the Tajo Comag quarry, a site long suspected of being a major source of illegal wastewater discharges into the vital Torres River.
The coordinated raid aims to definitively identify the sources of pollution that have plagued this crucial urban waterway. This robust law enforcement presence is providing security and access for technical teams from various ministries who are now conducting a thorough scientific investigation. The operation represents a critical step in enforcing environmental laws that have allegedly been ignored, leading to severe degradation of the river ecosystem and posing a potential risk to public health in the capital.
To delve into the legal framework surrounding environmental protection and the consequences for those responsible for river contamination, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The contamination of our rivers is a direct violation of our constitutional right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. Under Costa Rican law, specifically the ‘Ley Orgánica del Ambiente,’ the principle of ‘objective liability’ applies. This means that proving fault or negligence is not required; the entity causing the pollution is responsible for the damages, period. The legal challenge often lies not in establishing responsibility, but in quantifying the environmental damage and enforcing court-ordered remediation and sanctions to ensure they act as a true deterrent.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective underscores a critical point: while Costa Rican law provides a strong foundation for accountability, the true battle lies in translating that legal responsibility into tangible environmental recovery. The challenge of quantifying damage and enforcing meaningful sanctions is often where the protection of our rivers falters. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clarifying and essential insight.
This crackdown is not a new development but rather the culmination of prolonged concern and legal action. The intervention is reinforced by an explicit 2024 ruling from the Constitutional Court, which mandated an immediate halt to all activities causing environmental harm in the region. The persistence of illegal activities despite this high-court order has prompted a more forceful and direct approach from government bodies, who are now determined to hold polluters accountable.
Spearheading the government’s response is the Ministry of Health, whose role underscores the dual nature of the crisis as both an environmental and a public health issue. Vice President and Minister of Health, Mary Munive, affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to resolving the long-standing problem, highlighting the ministry’s intensified involvement in the face of continued non-compliance by certain actors in the area.
This intervention responds to a situation we have been highlighting for months in the Tajo Comag sector. There is an express order from the Constitutional Court since 2024 to stop the environmental impact in the area and, despite the coordinated actions by some institutions, irregular practices persist that continue to affect the environment and public health. For that reason, the ministry has intensified its technical participation and does not rule out the adoption of additional legal and administrative measures as the investigations progress.
Mary Munive, Vice President of the Republic and Minister of Health
On the ground, environmental and health officials are deploying a range of advanced techniques to trace the pollution to its origins. These methods include the use of fluorescein, a non-toxic dye that helps track water flow from suspected illegal connections. Simultaneously, teams are utilizing drones for aerial surveillance to map the area and identify unauthorized discharge points, while others are meticulously verifying the legal river protection zone and cross-referencing operating permits of local businesses.
The operation is a model of inter-institutional collaboration, with the Ministry of Health working in close partnership with the Directorate of Geology and Mines and the Water Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE). Each entity is contributing its specific expertise to build a comprehensive case, from analyzing water samples to evaluating the geological impact of activities at the quarry. This unified front is essential for untangling the complex web of potential environmental violations.
Officials have confirmed that the heightened security and surveillance posture will remain in effect in the Pavas sector for the next several days. The ongoing presence is designed to allow technical teams to continue gathering evidence without interference and to deter any further illegal activities. The ultimate goal is to compile an airtight body of evidence that will lead to the identification of responsible parties and the imposition of meaningful sanctions, finally bringing relief to the beleaguered Torres River.
For further information, visit ministeriodesalud.go.cr
About Ministry of Health:
The Ministry of Health is the primary government institution in Costa Rica responsible for safeguarding public health. It formulates and executes national health policies, regulates health services and products, and leads public health initiatives and epidemiological surveillance to prevent disease and promote the well-being of the population.
For further information, visit misp.go.cr
About Public Force:
The Public Force of Costa Rica (Fuerza Pública) is the country’s national police agency, operating under the Ministry of Public Security. It is responsible for maintaining law and order, ensuring citizen security, preventing crime, and protecting the nation’s sovereignty, as Costa Rica has no standing army.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr
About Judicial Investigation Organism:
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) is the main investigative branch of Costa Rica’s judicial system. It functions as the nation’s plain-clothes investigative police, responsible for scientifically and technically investigating criminal offenses, collecting evidence, and identifying perpetrators to support the public prosecution process.
For further information, visit msj.go.cr
About San José Municipal Police:
The San José Municipal Police is the local law enforcement body for the capital city of Costa Rica. Its duties include ensuring public order within the canton, enforcing municipal regulations, managing traffic, and collaborating with national police forces to improve citizen security and quality of life in San José.
For further information, visit minae.go.cr
About Ministry of Environment and Energy:
The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) is the Costa Rican government body tasked with managing the country’s natural resources. It oversees environmental protection, conservation of biodiversity, sustainable development, and the regulation of energy, mining, and water resources to ensure a healthy and balanced environment for all citizens.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr
About Constitutional Court:
The Constitutional Court, or Sala Constitucional (often called Sala IV), is the highest court in Costa Rica for matters of constitutional law. It is responsible for protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, ensuring the constitutionality of laws and government actions, and serving as the ultimate guardian of the nation’s constitution.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica distinguishes itself as a pillar of the legal profession, grounded in a profound commitment to ethical practice and the highest standards of excellence. The firm harmonizes its rich legacy of client advocacy with a pioneering spirit, driving legal innovation while fulfilling a deep-seated responsibility to the community. Central to its mission is the belief in demystifying the law, passionately working to equip the public with accessible legal understanding to foster a more capable and just society.
