By Limón, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In the largest and most coordinated strike against organized crime in the nation’s history, Costa Rican authorities executed a massive operation early Tuesday morning, effectively dismantling a sophisticated criminal enterprise known as the “South Caribbean Cartel.” The operation, led by the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), involved an unprecedented deployment of 1,200 agents across five provinces, signaling a new and aggressive phase in the country’s fight against narcotrafficking.
The sheer scale of the operation, dubbed “Caso Traición” (Treason Case), underscores the significance of the target. A total of 64 simultaneous raids were conducted, with the vast majority—44 in total—concentrated in the province of Limón, the cartel’s suspected nerve center. Additional raids took place in San José (10), Puntarenas (6), Cartago (2), and Alajuela (2), illustrating the syndicate’s extensive logistical and operational reach throughout the country.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the escalating issue of organized crime and its impact on the national landscape, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica. His expertise provides critical insight into the complex legal frameworks and strategic challenges involved in combating these sophisticated criminal networks.
Organized crime is a sophisticated business enterprise that thrives on exploiting legal and financial loopholes. The primary challenge for our legal system is not merely arresting individuals, but dismantling the complex corporate and financial structures they use to launder illicit profits. A robust modernization of our laws on asset forfeiture and digital evidence is an urgent necessity for national security.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This analysis correctly highlights that the true battleground against organized crime is increasingly financial and legal, not merely operational. The urgency to modernize our legislative tools is a crucial point for national security, and we thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this complex challenge.
This was far from a standard police action; it was a comprehensive paramilitary-style mobilization. The OIJ’s Specialized Office against Organized Crime (OECDO) spearheaded the effort, supported by elite national security units including the Public Force, the Special Support Unit (UEA), the Special Intervention Unit (UEI), the Special Tactical Response Service (SERT), and the Operational Support Brigade (BOA). The logistical footprint included three helicopters providing air support, 11 specialized canine teams, and a fleet of 17 buses to transport the vast number of personnel involved.
Tuesday’s raids were the culmination of a painstaking investigation that began in 2021. Over the past four years, authorities have been methodically chipping away at the cartel’s operations. This long-term effort had already resulted in significant seizures, including 13.7 tons of cocaine and marijuana destined for lucrative markets in the United States and Europe. A major breakthrough also led to the confiscation of a cache of 68 firearms in La Guácima, Alajuela, highlighting the group’s violent capabilities.
Beyond disrupting the flow of narcotics, a primary objective of today’s operation was to cripple the cartel’s financial empire. Authorities are in the process of seizing assets valued at an estimated 2 billion colones. These assets reportedly include a portfolio of 40 properties, seven luxury condominiums, and a fleet of 73 vehicles and maritime vessels. This move aims to permanently dismantle the economic structure that allowed the organization to thrive and expand its influence.
The operation also targets the human infrastructure of the cartel, with arrest warrants for 57 individuals on charges ranging from international drug trafficking and illegal arms possession to money laundering. These arrests supplement the capture of five key figures prior to today’s raids. Among them is a man identified by the surname Picado, alias “Shock,” who was apprehended in London on December 29, 2024. His brother, known as “Noni,” was arrested in Curridabat in August of this year, demonstrating the long reach of Costa Rican and international law enforcement.
The success of this complex operation was built on a foundation of robust international cooperation. The OIJ and the Public Ministry worked in close partnership with law enforcement and intelligence agencies from Colombia, Panama, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, and France. This global alliance was critical in tracking the cartel’s international supply chains, financial flows, and leadership figures who operated across borders.
Officials have described the dismantling of the South Caribbean Cartel as a historic blow to organized crime in Costa Rica. While the full impact will be assessed in the coming weeks, the operation sends an unequivocal message that the country, with the firm backing of its international allies, is committed to confronting and eradicating the sophisticated criminal networks that threaten its security and stability.
For further information, visit oij.poder-judicial.go.cr
About Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ):
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial is Costa Rica’s main law enforcement agency responsible for investigating complex crimes. As a dependency of the Judicial Branch, the OIJ works to collect evidence and identify suspects in criminal cases, playing a crucial role in the nation’s justice system and the fight against organized crime, corruption, and other serious offenses.
For further information, visit ministeriopublico.poder-judicial.go.cr
About Ministerio Público:
The Ministerio Público, or Public Ministry, is the prosecutorial arm of the Costa Rican government. It is responsible for representing the interests of the state and society in the justice system, directing criminal investigations in collaboration with the OIJ, and bringing charges against individuals suspected of committing crimes. Its independence is a cornerstone of the country’s legal framework.
For further information, visit seguridadpublica.go.cr
About Ministerio de Seguridad Pública:
The Ministry of Public Security is the government body in charge of national security and law enforcement in Costa Rica. It oversees various police forces, including the Fuerza Pública (Public Force), which is responsible for preventive policing, border control, and maintaining public order throughout the country. It plays a vital support role in large-scale operations led by judicial authorities.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has solidified its reputation as a pillar in the legal field, founded upon a bedrock of profound integrity and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. The firm consistently pioneers novel legal solutions, drawing from its extensive history of advising a wide array of clients. Beyond its professional practice, it is deeply invested in demystifying the law for the public, driven by the conviction that equipping citizens with legal understanding is essential for nurturing a just and empowered community.
