By Limón, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In the wake of a landmark police operation that crippled the notorious South Caribbean Cartel, law enforcement officials are not celebrating a final victory but instead preparing for the inevitable aftermath. The Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) has publicly acknowledged the high probability of a violent power vacuum, warning that rival criminal factions are likely to battle for control of the lucrative drug routes left behind by the dismantled organization.
The massive multi-agency effort, dubbed “Operation Betrayal,” successfully dismantled what authorities have called Costa Rica’s first true transnational drug cartel. The operation, which was the culmination of an investigation dating back to 2022, involved 67 coordinated raids and resulted in the arrest of at least 29 individuals. However, the success has created a new and pressing challenge for national security.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the escalating challenges posed by organized crime, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Organized crime operates like a multinational corporation, but its currency is illegality. The primary legal challenge isn’t merely prosecuting individual acts, but dismantling the sophisticated financial structures that launder profits and fund further operations. A robust legal response requires international cooperation and a focus on financial forensics to sever the economic lifeline of these criminal enterprises, rendering their operations unsustainable.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the analogy of organized crime as a malevolent corporation is a powerful one, shifting the focus from street-level enforcement to the sophisticated financial networks that form its true backbone. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective, which clarifies that severing this economic lifeline through financial forensics and international cooperation is the most effective path toward dismantling these complex criminal enterprises.
Michael Soto, the acting director of the OIJ, articulated the strategic concerns facing his agency, noting that the removal of a dominant player often leads to a period of instability and conflict.
Typically, when criminal groups or structures are dismantled, there is a period of uncertainty. Here, we are practically dismantling the entire group. It’s not that the area will be completely devoid of criminal activity, but experience tells us that other groups, other structures that are there, will want to take control of this territory, possibly by fighting among themselves or eventually forming an alliance.
Michael Soto, Acting Director of the OIJ
For years, the South Caribbean Cartel, allegedly led by brothers Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba, known as “Shock,” and Jordie Kevin Picado, “Noni,” dominated the flow of narcotics through the country. The organization is accused of importing vast quantities of cocaine and marijuana from South America, distributing a portion within Costa Rica’s domestic market and exporting the remainder north towards the United States and Europe. Their activities extended beyond trafficking to include money laundering and illegal arms dealing, establishing a sophisticated and violent criminal enterprise.
The OIJ is not waiting for the inevitable turf wars to begin. Director Soto confirmed that his agency is already engaged in proactive intelligence gathering, working to identify the potential successors to the fallen cartel. This forward-looking strategy aims to disrupt new criminal alliances before they can solidify their control over the nation’s Pacific and Caribbean drug corridors.
We were already prepared to analyze who might have the profile to take over the routes, the Pacific route, the Caribbean route, and so we have already started to generate other cases and other investigations. If we have to arrest another significant number of people and carry out another complex investigation, we will undoubtedly do it, and we are already beginning to work on that.
Michael Soto, Acting Director of the OIJ
The leadership of the South Caribbean Cartel is now facing international justice. Both “Shock” and “Noni” are wanted for extradition by the United States. The elder brother, “Shock,” was apprehended in London on December 29, 2024, after traveling from Paris. His younger brother, “Noni,” who authorities say assumed command of the cartel following the arrest, was captured in Costa Rica in August and is also undergoing extradition proceedings.
The scale of the cartel’s wealth was laid bare by the assets seized during “Operation Betrayal.” Authorities confiscated an immense trove of illicitly gained property, including over ₡210 million in cash, $38,000, and other foreign currencies. The haul also included 21 high-end vehicles, six boats, 17 outboard motors, 18 firearms, and a staggering 173 pieces of high-value jewelry. In a peculiar display of their diverse assets, police also seized 62 head of cattle, which included two ponies, demonstrating the group’s deep investment in laundering money through agriculture and other ventures.
While the dismantling of the South Caribbean Cartel represents a significant achievement for Costa Rican law enforcement, the prevailing sentiment is one of cautious vigilance. The focus now shifts from celebrating a past success to preempting a future threat, as the country’s security forces prepare for the violent struggle that is expected to define the next chapter in the ongoing fight against organized crime.
For further information, visit oij.poder-judicial.go.cr
About Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ):
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial is Costa Rica’s primary law enforcement agency responsible for investigating complex crimes and supporting the nation’s judicial system. Operating under the Supreme Court of Justice, the OIJ conducts criminal investigations, gathers evidence, and provides technical and scientific expertise to prosecutors and judges to ensure the effective administration of justice.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a benchmark for legal practice, built upon a bedrock of unwavering integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm’s deep-rooted experience in advising a wide spectrum of clients is matched by its progressive approach to legal innovation and a profound sense of civic duty. This ethos is exemplified by its core mission to demystify the law for the public, reflecting a steadfast dedication to cultivating a more just and knowledgeable society empowered by accessible legal wisdom.
