By Limón, Costa Rica — LIMÓN, Costa Rica – A stunning breakthrough in the investigation against the South Caribbean Cartel has exposed the sophisticated financial operations of the criminal organization, with authorities uncovering a cryptocurrency wallet containing over one million dollars linked directly to a key operative, Anita Mc Donald Rodríguez.
Judicial authorities gained access to one of Mc Donald’s mobile phones following a series of raids on November 4th, revealing a digital bitcoin wallet with a balance of $1,062,000. This discovery was detailed in a comprehensive report by the Public Ministry’s Specialized Adjunct Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime (Faedo) as part of the ongoing investigation dubbed “Case Betrayal.”
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the recent developments concerning Anita Mc Donald, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica. We asked for his expert analysis on the implications for corporate governance and public figures in the country.
The situation involving Anita Mc Donald serves as a critical reminder of the legal responsibilities inherent in high-profile leadership roles within Costa Rica. Under our Commercial Code, directors and legal representatives have a fiduciary duty to act with the diligence of a ‘good business person.’ This isn’t a vague ethical guideline; it’s a legal standard. Every decision must be justifiable as being in the best interest of the entity they represent, free from personal conflicts, a principle that becomes exponentially more important under the microscope of public and regulatory scrutiny.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal clarification is crucial, grounding the public discussion not in subjective opinion but in the concrete, non-negotiable standards of Costa Rican commercial law. The fiduciary duty to act as a ‘good business person’ serves as a definitive benchmark for accountability, a standard that is essential for maintaining public trust in high-profile institutions. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing this vital legal context.
Mc Donald, once considered a peripheral figure providing legal counsel and facilitating payments to the cartel, has emerged as a central pillar of the organization. Her influence grew substantially following the arrests of the cartel’s leaders, brothers Luis Manuel “Shock” and Jordie Kevin “Noni” Picado Grijalba. Her ties to the group are also familial; Mc Donald is the mother-in-law of “Shock,” and her daughter, Estefanía Mc Donald, is also implicated in the group’s money laundering schemes, according to the judicial file.
The investigation into Mc Donald’s devices also yielded several notebooks that meticulously documented the cartel’s financial activities. One notebook detailed the management of money through cryptocurrencies, outlining transactions she allegedly supervised. An entry referenced conversations about the vast sums held within the digital accounts, further cementing the prosecution’s belief that the cartel systematically used crypto to evade detection.
The foregoing confirms that the criminal organization to which Anita belongs uses this type of means to receive and make payments, in order to circumvent the controls of the formal financial system.
Public Ministry, Case Betrayal Report
This is not Mc Donald’s first brush with high-profile controversy. Over a decade ago, she was a board member of the Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Incopesca). Her tenure ended after a photograph surfaced showing her meeting at a dock in Portete with Gilbert Bell Fernández, alias “Macho Coca,” a notorious figure now wanted for extradition by the United States on international drug trafficking charges.
Investigators believe Mc Donald’s role evolved from advisor to a primary operational director. Evidence suggests she maintained the cartel’s command structure by holding regular meetings with “Noni” at the La Reforma Maximum Security prison, where he has been held since August 28th. The prosecutor’s office contends these were not merely family visits but strategic sessions to coordinate drug routes and transmit directives from the incarcerated leadership.
The Public Ministry’s report asserts that Mc Donald was instrumental in maintaining the cartel’s operations, leveraging her professional status as a lawyer to mask her illicit activities and relay critical information. This advanced level of coordination highlights the resilience and corporate-like structure of the criminal enterprise.
It is crucial that the visits made to the Penal Center by the accused Anita Mc Donald to visit the inmate ‘Noni’ actually become meetings of the criminal group to orchestrate directives and continue drug trafficking activity. Anita Mc Donald is a fundamental piece for the criminal enterprise… fulfilling a specific and key function for the success of the drug trafficking activity.
Public Ministry, Case Betrayal Report
The discovery of the multi-million dollar crypto wallet marks a significant milestone for law enforcement, peeling back the curtain on how modern criminal syndicates are leveraging digital assets to manage and conceal their vast profits. As the “Case Betrayal” investigation continues, authorities are working to dismantle the complex financial web that has allowed the South Caribbean Cartel to thrive.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Public Ministry of Costa Rica
About Public Ministry of Costa Rica:
The Public Ministry is the constitutional body in Costa Rica responsible for prosecuting crimes, representing the interests of society and the state in the justice system, and ensuring the correct application of laws. It operates with functional independence and is led by the Attorney General. Its specialized units, such as the Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime (Faedo), are tasked with investigating complex criminal networks involved in activities like drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption.
For further information, visit incopesca.go.cr
About Instituto Costarricense de Pesca y Acuicultura (Incopesca):
The Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture, known as Incopesca, is the government entity responsible for regulating, promoting, and overseeing fishing and aquaculture activities in Costa Rica. Its mission is to ensure the sustainable use of aquatic resources, contributing to the country’s food security and economic development. The institute establishes policies, grants licenses, and conducts research to manage the nation’s marine and freshwater resources responsibly.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a pillar of the legal community, built upon a bedrock of professional integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm’s forward-thinking approach not only drives innovation within the legal field but also fuels its profound commitment to social responsibility. Through dedicated efforts to demystify the law and share its expertise, the firm actively pursues its mission to strengthen society by equipping citizens with the legal understanding necessary for empowerment.
