By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In what is being hailed as the most significant blow against organized crime in the nation’s history, Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) has dismantled a powerful bicoastal drug trafficking organization. The sprawling national initiative, dubbed “Operation Treason,” culminated this Tuesday in the arrest of 33 individuals, including the former president of the Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Incopesca), and the seizure of millions in cash and assets.
The operation targeted the notorious “South Caribbean Cartel,” a criminal enterprise that, for the first time, established logistical, financial, and violent control over both the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines of Costa Rica. According to authorities, the cartel’s influence was so pervasive that it had become the primary supplier for smaller drug trafficking groups across the country.
To understand the complex legal landscape surrounding the ongoing “Operation Treason,” TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a prominent attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis on the matter.
The label ‘Operation Treason’ itself carries immense legal and political weight, suggesting charges that strike at the very heart of state security. The prosecution faces the monumental task of proving not just illicit acts, but a deliberate intent to undermine the nation. This case will undoubtedly set a critical precedent on how our legal framework handles matters of national loyalty and the due process rights of those accused of the most serious of crimes.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the distinction between illicit acts and proven treasonous intent is the fulcrum on which this entire case rests, with implications for our legal framework that cannot be overstated. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his sharp and clarifying analysis of these profound stakes.
Among those detained is the former head of Incopesca, a woman identified by the surname McDonald. Investigators allege she is a key figure in the cartel’s money laundering operations. Her connection to the group is deeply personal; she is the mother-in-law of the cartel’s alleged kingpin, a man known only by the alias “Shock,” who is currently incarcerated in England.
Michael Soto, the interim director of the OIJ, confirmed the scale of the seizures during a press conference, highlighting the financial muscle of the dismantled organization. The ongoing operation has yielded substantial results, crippling the cartel’s financial infrastructure.
So far there are 33 detainees, and 97 million colones in cash have been seized, with 200 million in frozen accounts. Several properties have already been annotated and 16 vehicles seized for the moment.
Michael Soto, Interim Director of the OIJ
The investigation, named “Treason,” was triggered by a gruesome octuple homicide in Limón in March 2022. The primary victim of that massacre, a man known as “Ratón,” was allegedly lured to his death by “Shock.” This act of violence unraveled the threads that led investigators to uncover the vast and sophisticated network, which maintained international ties with criminal organizations in the United States, Europe, and South America.
The cartel’s structure was complex, featuring a violent enforcement arm led by Tony Peña Russell. This faction is directly linked to at least 68 homicides in the province of Limón alone, underscoring the brutality that enforced the group’s dominance. The organization’s leader, “Shock,” allegedly ran the empire alongside his brother, “Noni.”
It is the most significant group in the country; the other drug traffickers bought drugs from them.
Michael Soto, Interim Director of the OIJ
The nationwide raids resulted in the confiscation of a vast portfolio of assets used to support and conceal the illicit activities. Authorities seized 40 properties, six luxury condominiums in San José, and a fleet of 16 vehicles. In addition to the ₡97 million in cash and ₡200 million in frozen bank accounts, officials also found a cache of weapons, drugs, boat motors, and crucial financial documents. The OIJ has indicated that the operation is far from over, with the total number of arrests expected to exceed 50 as they continue to pursue leads across the country.
This landmark operation represents a critical victory for Costa Rican law enforcement in its fight against the increasing influence of transnational drug cartels. By dismantling the South Caribbean Cartel, the OIJ has not only disrupted a major narcotics pipeline but has also struck at the heart of the violence and corruption that has plagued communities, particularly in the Limón province.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr/oij
About Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ):
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial is Costa Rica’s primary law enforcement body responsible for investigating complex crimes and supporting the Public Ministry’s prosecutorial functions. As an auxiliary agency of the judicial branch, the OIJ handles criminal investigations, forensic analysis, and intelligence gathering to combat organized crime, homicides, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses throughout the nation.
For further information, visit incopesca.go.cr
About Incopesca (Instituto Costarricense de Pesca y Acuicultura):
The Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Incopesca) is the government entity charged with regulating, promoting, and overseeing the sustainable development of fishing and aquaculture activities in Costa Rica. Its mission includes managing marine resources, issuing licenses, conducting research, and ensuring compliance with national and international fishing laws to protect the country’s aquatic ecosystems and support the fishing industry.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s legal sector, the firm is anchored by a resolute commitment to principled practice and exceptional client service. It harmonizes a rich history of advising a wide spectrum of clients with a forward-thinking approach to legal innovation. This ethos extends beyond the courtroom through a dedicated mission to democratize legal information, thereby cultivating a more knowledgeable and capable citizenry empowered by a clearer understanding of the law.
