Alleged U.S. Drug Dealer Arrested In Playas Del Coco

INTERNATIONAL Police (INTERPOL) and a joint team of Costa Rican police units arrested a fugitive from U.S. justice Aug. 24 in Playas del Coco, the beach community in the northern Pacific province of Guanacaste.U.S. citizen Jonathan Dirk Dodson, 48, was sought by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a list of drug- and arms-related charges, the Public Security Ministry reported.Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ), National Security and Intelligence Directorship (DIS) agents and the Special Migration Police tracked Dodson through multiple trips in and out of Costa Rica beginning Feb. 4, 2004. Every three months he made a border run for Nicaragua or Panama to renew his tourist visa.U.S. investigators allege that Dodson and his daughter distributed methamphetamines to several buyers and delivered the drugs to five minors from 2000-2002.In February 2002, police searched his home in Oregon, confiscating methamphetamines, a Colt pistol, a Mosburg shotgun with the serial number removed, guns that were allegedly used to protect his drugs and profits.A Federal Grand Jury indicted him in May 2003 on 10 counts of various charges including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamines, possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and delivery of methamphetamines to a person under 21 years of age, among others, the U.S. Embassy in San José reported. Dodson did not contest the extradition request and is now serving a two-month preventive detention sentence while authorities process the extradition, which should take about three months, a Judicial Branch spokesman said.