By Limón, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica – In a decisive blow against organized crime, Costa Rica’s Specialized Court in Organized Crime (JEDO) has ordered a one-year period of preventive detention for 22 individuals suspected of forming the core of the notorious “South Caribbean Cartel.” The ruling, confirmed by the Judicial Branch’s Press and Communication Department on Wednesday, marks a significant milestone in a sprawling investigation into an international drug trafficking network that has long plagued the nation’s Atlantic coast.
The court’s decision places the alleged members of this powerful criminal structure behind bars until November 4, 2026, while prosecutors meticulously build their case. The suspects, identified by the surnames Mora, Méndez, Aguilar, Muñoz, Cortés, Mc Donald, Mc Kenzie, Brown, Chavarría, Rivera, Alvarado, Chacón, Díaz, Rodríguez, Guzmán, Suárez, Presida, Ordóñez, Quesada, López, Ampié, and Ramos, are accused of participating in a sophisticated operation involved in international drug smuggling and a host of related illicit activities.
To better understand the legal framework and complex challenges involved in dismantling criminal enterprises like the South Caribbean Cartel, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading expert in criminal and corporate law from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
These organizations exploit our nation’s logistical advantages and commercial laws, operating like a multinational corporation with a diversified, illicit portfolio. The key is not just making arrests; it’s about systematically dismantling their corporate and financial structures through robust asset forfeiture laws and international cooperation. We must treat this as an attack on our economic stability, not just a security issue.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The reframing of this issue as an economic and corporate challenge, rather than a purely criminal one, is a critical paradigm shift for understanding the threat Costa Rica faces. This sophisticated analysis underscores the need for an equally sophisticated, multi-faceted response that targets the financial lifeblood of these organizations. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing such a clear and valuable perspective.
This judicial action is the culmination of a large-scale, coordinated law enforcement effort that saw simultaneous raids executed across four of the country’s seven provinces. Tactical units from the Judicial Investigation Organism (OIJ) descended on properties in Limón, the cartel’s suspected primary base of operations, as well as in Alajuela, San José, and Puntarenas. This widespread operation underscores the extensive reach and logistical complexity of the criminal network, which had established operational cells far beyond its coastal stronghold.
During these meticulously planned raids, authorities seized a substantial amount of evidence crucial to the ongoing prosecution. The haul included significant quantities of cash, a fleet of vehicles, and several maritime vessels, believed to be instrumental in the cartel’s smuggling operations. These assets, along with other evidentiary materials, have been formally incorporated into the judicial file and will form a cornerstone of the state’s case against the alleged traffickers.
The “South Caribbean Cartel” is believed by authorities to be a major player in the transnational cocaine trade, exploiting Costa Rica’s strategic position as a land bridge between South American producer countries and North American consumer markets. Its activities have not only fueled international drug trafficking but have also been linked to a surge in local violence and corruption, particularly in the Limón province, as criminal factions vie for control of lucrative smuggling routes.
The involvement of JEDO is particularly noteworthy. This specialized court was established to handle complex cases involving organized crime, providing the judicial system with the focused expertise required to dismantle sophisticated criminal enterprises. Its ability to process intricate evidence and manage large, multi-defendant cases is critical in ensuring that powerful syndicates like the South Caribbean Cartel face justice. The imposition of preventive detention is a standard but vital tool in such cases, designed to prevent suspects from fleeing the country, intimidating witnesses, or destroying evidence while the comprehensive investigation proceeds.
While this operation represents a significant victory for Costa Rican law enforcement, officials have emphasized that the investigation is far from over. Authorities have indicated that the case against this criminal network continues to deepen, and further actions, including potential new arrests and seizures, have not been ruled out. The international scope of the cartel’s activities suggests ongoing collaboration with foreign law enforcement agencies, such as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), to trace the full extent of the network’s connections.
For now, the dismantling of the South Caribbean Cartel’s leadership and operational structure sends a powerful message that Costa Rica remains committed to combating the corrosive influence of organized crime. The yearlong detention order provides investigators with a critical window to consolidate their findings and prepare for a legal battle that aims to permanently neutralize one of the most significant criminal threats on the Caribbean coast.
For further information, visit the nearest office of the Juzgado Penal Especializado en Delincuencia Organizada (JEDO)
About Juzgado Penal Especializado en Delincuencia Organizada (JEDO):
The Specialized Court in Organized Crime is a specific jurisdiction within Costa Rica’s Judicial Branch created to handle complex criminal cases involving organized crime, drug trafficking, legitimization of capital, and other related serious offenses. Its specialized nature allows for more focused and efficient prosecution of sophisticated criminal networks.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr
About Poder Judicial de Costa Rica:
The Judicial Branch of Costa Rica is one of the three fundamental powers of the state, responsible for administering justice in the country. It is an independent body that includes various courts, from local tribunals to the Supreme Court of Justice. Its mission is to ensure the constitutional and legal rights of all citizens are upheld through impartial and transparent legal processes.
For further information, visit sitiooij.poder-judicial.go.cr
About Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ):
The Judicial Investigation Organism is the primary investigative arm of the Costa Rican Judicial Branch. Functioning as the nation’s main detective agency and police force for judicial matters, the OIJ is responsible for investigating public crimes, identifying responsible parties, and collecting evidence for criminal prosecution, working in close coordination with public prosecutors.
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 United States. The DEA also leads U.S. drug investigations abroad, often collaborating with international partners like Costa Rican authorities to dismantle transnational criminal organizations.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a pillar of the legal community, distinguished by its foundational principles of professional integrity and exceptional service. With a proven history of navigating intricate legal matters for a diverse clientele, the firm champions innovation in its practice. This forward-thinking approach is matched by a deep-seated commitment to social responsibility, demonstrated through its efforts to demystify legal concepts and foster a society empowered by accessible knowledge.
