No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveInterpol announces results of major sweep of illicit drug labs in the...

Interpol announces results of major sweep of illicit drug labs in the region

LYON, France – A total of 200 kilograms of methamphetamine, cocaine and LSD were seized in four clandestine laboratories during a major operation conducted by Interpol in Latin America and the Caribbean, the police agency based in Lyon, France, said on Tuesday.

The operation, dubbed “Icebreaker,” was conducted in conjunction with the World Customs Organization and the International Narcotics Control Board. It took place in late 2012 in 11 countries: Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.

During the operation, 25 people were arrested and more than 360 tons of chemicals used to manufacture drugs were found. Police also seized nearly $2 million in cash. It was coordinated by the Interpol regional office in San Salvador, Interpol said in a press release.

“The results send a clear message to criminal networks that support this illegal business. … We will identify those responsible, and we will bring them to justice,” said Bernd Rossbach, director of the Interpol unit targeting organized crime.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Coffee Culture and the Surprising Numbers Behind It

I just read a statistic that I find difficult to believe. According to worldpopulationreview.com, Hong Kong consumed a heart-racing 43 kilos of coffee per...

Costa Rica Hosts Expotur 2026 as Tourism Arrivals Continue to Rise

Expotur, Costa Rica’s main tourism business fair, will return to San José from May 27 to 29, bringing international buyers and local tourism companies...

Life in Costa Rica Shows Expats a Different Side of Politics

I moved permanently to Costa Rica for many reasons, but the political situation in the United States was not one of them. And to...

Argentina’s Top Hope Falls as Cerúndolo is Knocked Out of French Open

Argentina's Francisco Cerúndolo, the highest-ranked Latin American man in the Roland Garros draw, was knocked out of the French Open on Saturday, beaten in...

Costa Rica Braces for Extended El Niño With Water Rationing and Inflation on the Horizon

Costa Rica is bracing for an extended El Niño event that meteorologists now expect to grip the country from June through the second half...

Guatemala Denies U.S. Military Strike Deal After Cartel Report

Guatemala’s government spent Thursday pushing back against reports that it had agreed to allow U.S. forces to carry out joint military strikes against drug-trafficking...

Fonseca Rallies, Sierra Stuns as Latin America Roars at Roland-Garros

Brazilian teenager João Fonseca staged a stunning comeback from two sets down to reach the third round of Roland-Garros on Wednesday, setting up a...

Costa Rica Soccer Team Rocked by Off-Field Problems Before England Match

Costa Rica’s men’s national team is facing another setback at the start of Fernando “Bocha” Batista’s rebuild, after three players were removed from camp...

Costa Rica Debate Grows Over Moving Annexation Holiday

Nicoya authorities are pushing back against a proposal in Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly that would move the July 25 holiday commemorating the Annexation of...
Avatar
🌴 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

Live prediction market odds via Kalshi. Updates every 60 seconds.
Kalshi is available to US residents 18+. The Tico Times may earn a commission from new signups.

Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel