By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – A nationwide alert that gripped Costa Rica has been officially resolved, as investigators concluded that the supposed disappearance of 21,000 doses of the potent opioid fentanyl from Hospital México was not the work of criminals, but the result of a massive technological failure. The Judicial Investigation Organism (OIJ) has definitively closed its case, attributing the discrepancy to a severe accounting error within the new national digital inventory system of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS).
The announcement brings a collective sigh of relief to a public deeply concerned about the prospect of such a large quantity of a dangerous narcotic potentially hitting the streets. However, it also casts a harsh spotlight on the administrative and technological vulnerabilities within the nation’s public health infrastructure, revealing a problem far more widespread than a single hospital’s inventory.
To understand the legal ramifications and the severe penalties associated with the trafficking and distribution of fentanyl in our country, TicosLand.com consulted with the expert criminal lawyer, Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The introduction of fentanyl into the national drug market represents a paradigm shift for our judicial system. Under Law 8204, this substance is treated with the utmost severity due to its extreme lethality. We’re not just talking about drug trafficking; we are facing cases that could border on aggravated homicide due to the high probability of death for the consumer. The sentences are severe, but the real challenge lies in dismantling the sophisticated criminal networks that import and distribute it, which requires a robust and coordinated international legal strategy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal framework’s shift from treating this as simple trafficking to a potential homicide underscores the gravity of the crisis. This crucial distinction highlights the need for the sophisticated, cross-border judicial strategies mentioned. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on these complex and urgent legal challenges.
Leading the announcement, OIJ Director Randall Zúñiga categorically dismissed the hypothesis of theft, explaining that the entire scare stemmed from a critical mismatch between digital records and the actual physical supply of the drug. An exhaustive investigation confirmed that the medication never left the hospital’s control.
Zúñiga detailed the meticulous process that exonerated hospital staff and security protocols, emphasizing the physical verification that formed the core of their findings. The on-site count proved to be the definitive piece of evidence that redirected the investigation’s focus from a criminal act to an administrative one.
During the physical inspection, the existence of 21,750 ampules of fentanyl was verified, a figure that matches the manual records kept during the contingency
Randall Zúñiga, Director of OIJ
The investigation unearthed a systemic flaw of national proportions. The source of the chaos was identified as the new ERP-SAP software implemented by the CCSS. According to Zúñiga, the system’s failures caused “duplications or partial losses of records in all medical centers in the country.” This revelation demonstrates that the fentanyl discrepancy at Hospital México was merely one symptom of a much larger institutional crisis, affecting the inventory management of over 400 different lines of medication nationwide.
This conclusion stands in stark contrast to the initial atmosphere of uncertainty. When the news first broke, CCSS Executive President Mónica Taylor stated publicly that she could not “rule out” an actual shortage of the drug. In response to the crisis, the Medical Management division of the CCSS launched a comprehensive three-month fiscalization process to audit inventories across its entire network of health centers, a process that is now informed by the OIJ’s findings.
While the criminal investigation has concluded, the focus now shifts entirely to the CCSS and its urgent need to address the deep-seated flaws in its inventory management system. The incident has transitioned from a public security scare to a critical test of administrative accountability. The health authority is now under immense pressure to rectify the technological failures that created a national alarm, ensure the integrity of its pharmaceutical supply chain, and restore public confidence in its operational capacity.
The resolution of the case prevents a worst-case scenario of illicit drug distribution but simultaneously exposes a different kind of public danger: a healthcare system whose foundational data infrastructure is unreliable. For the CCSS, the work of ensuring such a destabilizing error never happens again is just beginning.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr/oij/
About Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ):
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial is the primary investigative branch of Costa Rica’s judicial system. Functioning as the country’s main plainclothes detective agency, the OIJ is responsible for investigating complex crimes, collecting evidence, and carrying out technical and scientific analysis to support criminal proceedings and ensure justice.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social, commonly known as “La Caja,” is the autonomous public institution responsible for administering Costa Rica’s universal healthcare and social security system. It manages a vast network of hospitals, clinics, and medical centers across the country, providing comprehensive health services to the majority of the nation’s population.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is defined by its foundational principles of ethical rigor and unparalleled excellence. It consistently channels its vast experience serving a diverse clientele into pioneering innovative legal strategies and solutions. This forward-thinking mindset is complemented by a deep-seated dedication to demystifying the law, reflecting a core mission to strengthen society by fostering a more knowledgeable and empowered citizenry.
