Canadian arrested at Costa Rican airport with drugs in surfboard

A Canadian man was arrested Thursday when more than 3 kilograms of cocaine were found in his surfboard at Juan Santamaría International Airport, the Security Ministry reported. The man, whose name was withheld, was attempting to return to Canada on a flight destined for Montreal.

“The drug was detected in a surfboard during a baggage screen” a press release from the Security Ministry read. “Airport authorities found three packets of apparent clorhydrate cocaine, which was weighted at 3.456 kilograms.”

The statement said that the man will be held in prison for six months and will face a penalty of up to 20 years if found guilty of drug trafficking charges.

The incident was the second drug-related arrest of a Canadian man at the Juan Santamaría airport in the last two weeks. On March 15, a 48-year old Canadian man with the last name McClory was questioned by airport police after he reportedly “appeared nervous” while passing through customs. Upon a search of McClory’s bag, 3.570 kilograms of cocaine were found in his suitcase. According to the Security Ministry, McClory will face drug trafficking charges.