Police bust gang for dealing pot, party drugs to teens

Updated 1:30 p.m.

Kids these days.

Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) arrested six suspects Thursday morning for allegedly growing and distributing marijuana and synthetic drugs at high-flying high school parties.

OIJ Director Francisco Segura told reporters Thursday that the gang of four men and two women with ages between 21 and 27 attended private open-bar parties frequented by high school students in Alajuela and Cartago, where they allegedly distributed marijuana and synthetic drugs, according to CRHoy.com.

Police found at least 30 marijuana plants, many recently harvested, 50 tablets of ecstasy and two of LSD, along with some cocaine.

While authorities suspect the gang grew marijuana plants hydroponically, Segura said it was yet unclear if the gang produced their own synthetic drugs.

According to previous statements by Public Security Minister Mario Zamora last August, there are no known facilities producing synthetic drugs like ecstasy, LSD, or methamphetamine in Costa Rica.

“Open bar” parties, as they are known in Costa Rica, have been under scrutiny by the Costa Rican Drug Institute (ICD). High school students or young adults generally attend the parties in remote locations that are advertised on social networks, require private transportation to reach, and often have hefty entrance fees.

Carlos Alvarado, head of the ICD, warned La Nación readers in an October 2013 report that the parties have been known to attract drug dealers and pose a risk of sexual assault, especially for minors under the influence of controlled substances.