Cops seize twice as much cocaine so far in 2012 as in previous years

In the first five months of 2012, anti-narcotics agents have seized twice the amount of cocaine as in the first five months of each of the previous two years, Public Security Ministry officials said.

As of May 25, agents, including the Drug Control Police, Coast Guard, National Police and other entities, seized 5,676 kilograms of cocaine in Costa Rica. That includes seizures at sea, at border checkpoints and at locations inland in the country. During the same period in 2011, officials seized 2,284 kg of cocaine, and in the first five months of 2010, agents seized 2,835 kg.

“The fight continues,” said Public Security Minister Mario Zamora at a press conference Friday. “And we are working hard to combat international and local trafficking of drugs.”

Although bulk cocaine seizures are up, data provided by the ministry indicates that seizures of crack are less than one-third of that seized in the same period in previous years. Officials have seized some 21,993 doses of crack so far in 2012. In the corresponding time period in 2011, agents seized 70,500 doses, while in the first five months of 2010, they confiscated 65,541 doses of crack.