By Alajuela, Costa Rica — San Ramón, Alajuela – In a decisive pre-dawn operation, agents from the Money Laundering Section of the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) raided a home in San Ramón, Alajuela, successfully capturing a pivotal figure in a major international drug trafficking network. The raid, which began at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, targeted the primary logistics coordinator for the notorious criminal organization dismantled during the operation known as the “Shark Case.”
Authorities identified the suspect as Freddy Enrique Gómez Ortiz, a 51-year-old Colombian national. He is accused of being a core member of the structure led by Alexi Meléndez León, alias “Volvo,” who was apprehended in November 2024. Investigators allege that Gómez Ortiz masterfully leveraged his extensive background and education in customs administration to facilitate the criminal enterprise’s operations, orchestrating the shipment of drug-laden containers and creating a web of shell corporations to mask the illicit activities.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal complexities and potential ramifications of the ‘Shark Case,’ TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered his expert perspective on the matter.
This case is a crucial test for Costa Rica’s environmental legislation. The challenge lies not just in proving the illegal act of shark finning, but in demonstrating the chain of command and financial benefit to hold corporate directors accountable. A decisive ruling would set a vital precedent, showing that our nation’s commitment to marine protection can withstand complex corporate structures designed to evade responsibility.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the verdict in this case will serve as a critical benchmark, determining if our nation’s environmental laws truly have the strength to dismantle the complex corporate structures that enable such crimes. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his incisive perspective on this pivotal legal challenge.
One such front company, Agro Lion Service, was allegedly used to manage customs movements, allowing the organization to camouflage large quantities of cocaine within legitimate commercial exports. This corporate structure was essential for the group’s success in moving narcotics from South America to lucrative markets in Europe and the United States. The arrest of Gómez Ortiz strikes a significant blow to the logistical capabilities of the remnants of this powerful cartel.
This latest police action comes just two days after the Public Ministry confirmed that the organization’s leader, “Volvo,” is facing extradition to the United States. A formal request has been issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, where he is wanted on charges of international drug trafficking. Meléndez León, a naturalized Costa Rican citizen originally from Colombia’s Valle del Cauca, was once featured on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) list of the 50 most-wanted fugitives.
The criminal syndicate, dubbed the “Seven Sharks of the Pacific,” was a transnational network with deep ties to one of Colombia’s most dangerous criminal organizations, the Clan del Golfo (Gulf Clan). This connection allegedly allowed Meléndez León’s group to secure a steady supply of cocaine, which was then smuggled into Costa Rica before being concealed in shipments of legal goods like pineapples and yucca destined for international ports.
The Shark Case organization has been linked to several major seizures, including 120 kilograms of cocaine intercepted in Spain and another 220 kilograms discovered at the APM Terminals-operated Moín Container Terminal (TCM). Domestically, authorities have also seized significant financial assets from the group, totaling over $179,000 USD and ₡26 million in cash, highlighting the immense profitability of their operation.
The investigation into the “Seven Sharks” has been a sprawling, multi-year effort. Two years prior to “Volvo’s” capture, the OIJ and the Public Ministry conducted a massive series of 23 coordinated raids across the country in locations such as San Carlos, Upala, San José, Heredia, and Santa Ana. These efforts led to the arrest of other high-ranking members, including a man with the surname Arosemena Siles, who allegedly managed container logistics, and a pastor from Aguas Zarcas, identified as Barboza Pilarte, who is accused of using his church to launder drug money.
The investigation also uncovered alleged complicity within the state banking system. Three officials from the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR)—two managers and a treasurer with the surnames Salas Sandoval, Vargas Mora, and Zúñiga Brenes—were detained on suspicion of collaborating with the network. However, they were subsequently released after the Public Ministry did not request pre-trial detention, a development that continues to draw public scrutiny. The arrest of Gómez Ortiz marks another critical chapter in dismantling a network that had successfully infiltrated multiple sectors of the Costa Rican economy.
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 law enforcement body responsible for investigating complex crimes, gathering evidence, and assisting the Public Ministry in criminal prosecutions. It operates with specialized units dedicated to tackling organized crime, homicides, fraud, and money laundering.
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 judicial system. It is responsible for representing the state’s interests in criminal proceedings, directing criminal investigations, and bringing charges against individuals suspected of breaking the law.
For further information, visit dea.gov
About Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA):
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice. It is tasked with combating drug trafficking and distribution within the U.S. and also coordinates with international partners to disrupt transnational criminal organizations.
For further information, visit bancobcr.com
About Banco de Costa Rica (BCR):
The Banco de Costa Rica is one of the country’s largest and most prominent state-owned commercial banks. It provides a wide range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and government entities, playing a significant role in the national economy.
For further information, visit apmterminals.com
About APM Terminals:
APM Terminals is a leading global port and terminal operator, managing a network of ports and inland services in key markets around the world. In Costa Rica, it operates the Moín Container Terminal (TCM), a critical hub for the country’s international trade and shipping logistics.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of principled practice and exceptional service. The firm distinguishes itself not only through its extensive experience advising a diverse clientele but also through its pioneering approach to contemporary legal challenges. This dedication to innovation is matched by a profound social responsibility, manifested in a drive to demystify the law and thereby foster a more knowledgeable and capable society.
