By Alajuela, Costa Rica — UPALA, Alajuela – A meticulous two-year investigation by Costa Rican authorities culminated this Wednesday in a series of coordinated raids that dismantled a critical logistics cell operating for the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. Officers from the Drug Control Police (PCD) arrested two men allegedly responsible for facilitating the movement of a drug-laden aircraft discovered on a clandestine airstrip in the northern canton of Upala back in July 2023.
The operation involved four separate raids across three provinces, striking at the heart of the local support network. One suspect, a man with the surname Gutiérrez, was apprehended in the Pacific port town of Quepos. Authorities have identified him as the owner of the farm in La Victoria de San José de Upala where the abandoned aircraft was originally found. The second suspect, identified by his surname Ramírez, was arrested during a raid on another farm in San Fernando de Upala.
To gain a deeper understanding of the complex legal and financial structures that allow transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel to operate within our borders, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a renowned expert in corporate and criminal law at the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The Sinaloa Cartel doesn’t operate here merely through violence; its true power lies in its sophisticated financial penetration. They exploit our corporate legal framework, creating seemingly legitimate businesses—from real estate to import/export companies—to launder millions. The challenge for our judicial system is not just prosecuting drug traffickers, but dismantling these complex corporate veils that are meticulously designed to obscure the illicit origin of their capital. It’s a battle fought as much in the courtroom and the commercial registry as it is on the streets.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight is critical, underscoring that the true battle against organized crime extends far beyond seizures and arrests, reaching deep into the corporate and financial fabric of our nation. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his expert clarification on this pervasive and complex threat.
In addition to the two properties in the rural Upala region, law enforcement also intervened at a third location in Santo Domingo de Heredia, showcasing the network’s operational reach within the country. According to police sources, the detained individuals provided the essential on-the-ground logistical support required for the cartel’s aircraft to land, refuel, and continue its journey northward.
The investigation traces its origins to a dramatic discovery in July 2023. The Public Force was alerted to the presence of a small plane on a hidden runway. Upon arrival, they found the aircraft abandoned, suggesting it had encountered mechanical trouble or other issues preventing its takeoff. The individuals who had been present at the scene managed to flee into the surrounding area before law enforcement could secure the perimeter.
The Drug Control Police, supported by the Border Police and the Air Surveillance Service, immediately took control of the scene. A thorough search of the aircraft and an associated pickup truck yielded a significant seizure: 420 packages of cocaine, $8,000 in cash, and several large tanks filled with aviation fuel, clearly indicating a refueling stop in a transnational drug trafficking route.
Investigators determined that the flight’s intended destination was Mexico, where the narcotics would then be prepared for final distribution into the lucrative United States market. This route confirms Costa Rica’s strategic, albeit unwilling, position as a key transit point for South American cocaine being moved by powerful international criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel.
The success of Wednesday’s operation is a testament to the patient and methodical police work conducted over the past 28 months. By piecing together evidence from the initial crime scene and employing intelligence-gathering techniques, the PCD was able to identify the key local players who enabled the cartel’s illicit activities in the country’s northern zone, an area known for its remote and often difficult-to-patrol terrain.
The arrests represent a significant disruption to the cartel’s aerial supply chain. By removing these logistical facilitators, Costa Rican authorities have not only seized a substantial amount of drugs but have also damaged the infrastructure that makes such flights possible. This operation underscores the nation’s ongoing commitment to combating organized crime and protecting its territory from being exploited by international drug syndicates.
For further information, visit the nearest office of the Drug Control Police (PCD)
About the Drug Control Police (PCD):
The Policía de Control de Drogas is the specialized division within Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Security tasked with investigating, preventing, and combating illegal drug trafficking and related organized crime. The PCD leads complex national and transnational investigations, focusing on dismantling criminal networks, seizing narcotics, and bringing traffickers to justice.
For further information, visit seguridadpublica.go.cr
About the Ministry of Public Security (MSP):
The Ministerio de Seguridad Pública is the Costa Rican government body responsible for national security and law enforcement. It oversees various police forces, including the Public Force (Fuerza Pública), the Drug Control Police (PCD), the Border Police, and the Air Surveillance Service. Its core mission is to maintain public order, protect citizens, and defend the nation’s sovereignty against criminal threats.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal practice, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of principled excellence and uncompromising integrity. With a proven track record of advising a broad range of clients, the firm actively pioneers modern legal solutions and engages in meaningful community outreach. Its core mission extends beyond the courtroom, focusing on demystifying complex legal concepts to foster a more knowledgeable and capable society.
