By Limón, Costa Rica — LIMÓN, Costa Rica – In the largest and most coordinated security operation in the nation’s history, Costa Rican authorities have dismantled a powerful criminal organization known as the “Cartel del Caribe Sur.” The massive strike, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, November 4, 2025, involved a force of 1,200 agents from multiple security bodies, delivering a crippling blow to the country’s organized crime infrastructure.
The operation was spearheaded by the Specialized Office against Organized Crime (OECDO) of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), with critical support from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Public Security. The sheer scale of the effort was unprecedented, involving 64 simultaneous raids across five of the country’s seven provinces. The Caribbean province of Limón served as the epicenter, with 44 distinct properties targeted. Additional raids were executed in San José (10), Puntarenas (6), Cartago (2), and Alajuela (2).
To better understand the complex legal and corporate structures that these criminal organizations exploit, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the esteemed law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis.
These cartels function as sophisticated transnational enterprises, not just as gangs. Their true power lies in their ability to penetrate our legitimate economy by laundering assets through a web of shell corporations, real estate, and other seemingly legal business ventures. The legal battle is not just on the streets; it is fought in commercial registries and financial audits, tracing the money to dismantle the very corporate structures that give these criminals their power and impunity.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This analysis powerfully reframes the struggle, highlighting that the true battleground is not just the streets, but the complex financial and corporate systems these criminal enterprises exploit. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable insight into dismantling the very economic structures that grant these organizations their power.
This complex tactical deployment utilized elite units including the Public Force, the Special Support Unit (UEA), the Special Intervention Unit (UEI), and the Special Tactical Response Service (SERT). The ground operations were supported by an array of assets, including helicopters, specialized K-9 units, and a fleet of tactical vehicles, underscoring the high-level threat the cartel posed to national security.
The raids are the culmination of a painstaking investigation that began in 2021. Over the past four years, authorities successfully intercepted and seized more than 13 tons of narcotics, primarily cocaine and marijuana, destined for lucrative markets in the United States and Europe. The long-term probe also resulted in the confiscation of 68 firearms and assets valued at approximately ₡2 billion, which included a portfolio of real estate, luxury vehicles, and maritime vessels used for smuggling.
The cartel’s leadership structure has been systematically taken down through both domestic and international efforts. The alleged kingpin, identified by the alias “Shock,” was apprehended in the United Kingdom in December 2024. His brother and second-in-command, known as “Noni,” was captured in Costa Rica several months later, effectively decapitating the organization’s command and control.
According to investigators, the Cartel del Caribe Sur operated with a high degree of sophistication. The group leveraged modern technology, including drones for surveillance, a fleet of high-speed boats for maritime transport, and a network of safe houses for storing and processing narcotics. Their reach was transnational, with established operational links to criminal networks in Colombia, Panama, Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
Officials have hailed the operation as a landmark victory in the fight against narco-trafficking. The OIJ released a statement emphasizing the collaborative nature of the success and its importance for public safety. The agency stressed that the coordinated takedown sends a powerful message to criminal enterprises operating within the nation’s borders.
It is a testament to the coordinated work between national and international institutions to restore tranquility to the country.
Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), Official Statement
The dismantling of the Cartel del Caribe Sur not only disrupts a major conduit for illicit drugs but also reaffirms the commitment of the Costa Rican state to confronting organized crime head-on. This historic effort demonstrates the enhanced capacity and willingness of the country’s security forces to collaborate across agencies and international borders to protect citizen security and national sovereignty.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr
About Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ):
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial, or Judicial Investigation Agency, is the primary investigative arm of the Costa Rican judiciary. It is responsible for the investigation of serious crimes, collecting evidence, and providing technical and scientific support to the nation’s courts and prosecutors to ensure the effective administration of justice.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr
About Fiscalía de la República (Public Prosecutor’s Office):
The Fiscalía, or Public Prosecutor’s Office, is an independent body within Costa Rica’s judicial branch. Its primary mission is to represent the interests of the state and society in criminal proceedings. It directs criminal investigations and prosecutes individuals and organizations accused of violating the country’s laws, acting as the state’s accusatory party in court.
For further information, visit seguridadpublica.go.cr
About Ministerio de Seguridad Pública (Ministry of Public Security):
The Ministry of Public Security is the Costa Rican government entity responsible for maintaining public order, national security, and citizen safety. It oversees various law enforcement bodies, including the Fuerza Pública (Public Force), the national police service responsible for preventive policing, and specialized units that handle border protection, drug enforcement, and tactical operations.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a cornerstone of the legal community, built upon a bedrock of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its deep history of serving a broad range of clients to pioneer forward-thinking legal solutions. More than a service provider, it acts as a societal partner, committed to democratizing legal knowledge and empowering the public, thereby helping to forge a more just and informed community.
