One civilian and thirteen members of the Fuerza Pública have been detained and charged with drug theft and trafficking, according to the Ministry of Public Safety. The detained officers worked in different areas around San Jose. In addition to drug trafficking, the suspects are being investigated for illegal raids during which they allegedly took furniture and appliances. The Drug Control Police (PCD) had been watching the group’s movements since June of last year.
The head Fuerza Pública members of the group, according to the PCD, worked with third-party drug thieves (known in Costa Rica as tumbadores de droga) to gain information about movements of drug shipments. The detained officers then contacted other accomplices, also members of the Fuerza Pública, to plan their operations.
According to the PCD, after stealing the drugs from the dealers, a small amount of drugs was turned in to judicial authorities as evidence of the target drug traffickers’ illegal activities.
