No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveProsecutor's office releases most detainees arrested in alleged driver's license fraud scheme

Prosecutor’s office releases most detainees arrested in alleged driver’s license fraud scheme

The prosecutor’s office released 95 people on Thursday who were arrested the previous day by Judicial Investigation Police investigating an alleged scheme to issue fraudulent driver’s licenses.

Eight other suspects remain in custody, according to Tatiana Vargas, spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office. However, the dozens of people arrested will still face a judicial process.

Authorities accuse the eight defendants still in custody of belonging to an organized crime group that carried out the alleged scheme. Among the eight are two Driver’s License Department officials, two “gavilanes,” or people who help facilitate the process of obtaining a license, and four private security guards.

The Criminal Court of San José has not yet set a time and date for a hearing to determine whether the jailed suspects will remain behind bars or will be released pending trial.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Orders AyA to Compensate Customers Over Excess Water Charges

An audit put improper water, sewer and hydrant charges at roughly ₡65.4 billion and gave AyA and Aresep until June 2027 to define how customers will be paid back.

Costa Rica Immigration Outage Hits San Jose Airport a Second Time

A failure in judicial branch systems forced manual immigration processing at Juan Santamaría on Saturday, cancelling one flight and causing 36 passengers to miss a JetBlue departure.

Costa Rica’s Economy Slows as Central Bank Warns of El Niño Risk

Costa Rica's Central Bank has lowered its growth forecast for this year, pointing to a climate shock that has already begun to weigh on...

Costa Rica Makes Forbes 2026 List of Best Places to Retire

Costa Rica has again been named one of the world's best places for Americans to retire, appearing in the 2026 edition of the Forbes...

Cincinnati Open Opens This Weekend With Practices, Fan Events and New Attractions

The Cincinnati Open begins welcoming fans August 8 with open player practices, autograph sessions, Red Bull BassLine and a new 5K before competitive tennis begins.

US Guarantee Letter Clears Final Hurdle for Macho Coca Extradition

The United States has delivered the written assurances Costa Rican courts required before Gilbert Hernán Bell Fernández, the Limón businessman known as "Macho Coca,"...

Costa Rica Files Constitutional Reform to Widen Extradition of Citizens

Costa Rica is preparing to make a big change to who it can send abroad to face trial. The government says it will ask...

Costa Rica Earthquake Near Orosi Followed by 60 Aftershocks

OVSICORI-UNA revised Friday night's Cartago earthquake to magnitude 5.0 at 8 km depth near Orosi and counted 60 aftershocks between 8:16 p.m. Friday and 5:00 a.m. Saturday.

Costa Rica Beats Haiti on Penalties to Reach U-20 World Cup

Costa Rica’s men’s under-20 soccer team qualified for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup on Tuesday after defeating Haiti 5-3 in a dramatic penalty...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel