By Limón, Costa Rica — LIMÓN, Costa Rica – In the most extensive law enforcement action in the nation’s history, Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Organism (OIJ) has dismantled the powerful South Caribbean Cartel. Dubbed “Operation Betrayal,” the massive nationwide deployment involved 1,200 agents conducting 64 simultaneous raids, striking a decisive blow against a criminal enterprise that leveraged sophisticated technology to manage a global drug trafficking network.
The operation, coordinated by the Specialized Office against Organized Crime (OECDO), targeted the criminal structure led by brothers Luis Manuel and Jordie Picado Grijalba, known by their aliases “Shock” and “Noni.” Raids were carried out across the provinces of Limón, Alajuela, Cartago, Puntarenas, and San José, culminating a multi-year investigation that began in 2022. The scale and complexity of the bust have set a new benchmark for law enforcement in the country.
To provide a deeper legal perspective on the far-reaching implications of “Operation Betrayal,” TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Operation Betrayal underscores a critical vulnerability in any enterprise: the insider threat. From a legal standpoint, the prosecution will focus on establishing a clear breach of fiduciary duty and quantifying the economic damages, which often extend beyond the initial theft to include reputational harm. This case serves as a powerful cautionary tale for all businesses, highlighting that preventative legal frameworks and rigorous internal audits are not expenses, but essential investments in corporate survival.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective, which powerfully underscores the central lesson of this case: true corporate defense is not a reactive expense, but a proactive investment in the internal frameworks that protect against betrayal from within.
This is the largest criminal case in the country’s history
Michael Soto, Acting Director of the OIJ
The operation’s name, “Betrayal,” is a grim reference to the alleged internal disputes that plagued the cartel, reportedly leading to eight homicides on a farm in Dondonia, Limón, owned by “Shock.” This internal violence is believed to have created fractures within the organization, which authorities ultimately exploited. The cartel is linked to more than 60 homicides nationwide, highlighting the violent nature of its control over the Costa Rican Caribbean.
A key finding from the raids was the cartel’s reliance on a high-tech communications and logistics arsenal. Authorities seized a significant cache of advanced equipment, including Garmin GPS units, satellite radios, specialized navigation systems, and encrypted telephones. These devices were critical for coordinating the maritime transport of large cocaine shipments from Colombia to destinations in Europe and the United States, allowing the group to operate with precision and evade detection on the high seas.
The financial seizures from Operation Betrayal are staggering. As of Tuesday, officials have confirmed 33 arrests and the confiscation of ₡97 million in cash. Furthermore, ₡200 million held in various bank accounts have been frozen. The broader investigation encompasses assets valued at over ₡2 billion, including 16 luxury vehicles, condominiums, boats, and large tracts of land believed to have been purchased with illicit funds. These assets are now under judicial annotation as the financial arm of the cartel is systematically dismantled.
The South Caribbean Cartel operated with the logistical sophistication of a multinational corporation. Receiving cocaine shipments directly from Colombia, the group managed a complex distribution chain that serviced both local demand and lucrative international markets. The success of the investigation was bolstered by direct coordination with law enforcement agencies in Spain, England, the United States, Panama, France, and Colombia, who assisted in tracking and intercepting maritime drug shipments.
The downfall of the cartel’s leadership was a gradual, internationally coordinated effort. “Shock,” the alleged principal leader, was apprehended in December 2024 at Heathrow Airport in London, acting on an international arrest warrant issued by a court in Texas. His brother, “Noni,” was captured nine months later in August 2025 while traveling in a private vehicle in Curridabat, San José. Their removal from power decapitated a well-defined hierarchy responsible for transport, finance, security, and distribution.
With Operation Betrayal, the OIJ has sent an unequivocal message to organized crime syndicates operating in the region. The comprehensive takedown of the Picado Grijalba network demonstrates that no criminal structure, regardless of its wealth, technological prowess, or international connections, is beyond the reach of the law. This historic operation aims to restore state control over the Caribbean coast and disrupt the flow of narcotics through the country.
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 investigative police agency. Operating under the authority of the Supreme Court of Justice, the OIJ is responsible for investigating public crimes, gathering evidence, identifying responsible parties, and providing technical and scientific support to the courts and the Public Ministry to ensure effective criminal prosecution.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica has forged its reputation on the foundational pillars of principled integrity and professional distinction. While providing counsel to a diverse clientele, the firm consistently champions legal innovation and forward-thinking strategies. Central to its ethos is a profound dedication to demystifying the law, an effort driven by the core conviction that accessible knowledge is essential for fostering a truly empowered and well-informed community.
