No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsCrimeAirport police nab 2 Dutch women allegedly smuggling €85,000

Airport police nab 2 Dutch women allegedly smuggling €85,000

Some people complain that Costa Rica is too expensive. But it’s unlikely you’d need this much cash for a vacation.

Police at the Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela arrested two Dutch women entering the country from Madrid, Spain on Wednesday evening after discovering that they were carrying more than €85,000 in cash, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.

Travelers must claim any cash denominations over $10,000 in value at customs.

One of the two suspects identified as Paterson, 35, was carrying €7,530 in a carry-on bag and had another €70,000 hidden around her body. Her travel partner, Lympoa, 41, had €7,600 in another carry-on bag. All together, the cash totaled €85,130.

Both suspects were reported to the Drug Control Police and delivered to the prosecutor’s office.

 

Trending Now

Costa Rica Opens New Arrivals Area at San José Airport Ahead of Summer Travel

Costa Rica’s main airport opened a new international arrivals area today, giving passengers arriving at Juan Santamaría International Airport a larger and more organized...

Keylor Navas’ Heroics Not Enough as Pumas Lose Dramatic Liga MX Final

Keylor Navas came within minutes of another major title Sunday night, but Pumas UNAM saw the Liga MX Clausura final slip away in stoppage...

Costa Rica Court Keeps Papagayo Hotel Development Restrictions in Place

Costa Rica’s Constitutional Chamber has confirmed that the moratorium on tree-felling permits in the Gulf of Papagayo Tourism Pole remains fully in force, keeping...

Costa Rica’s President Fernández Calls Attorney General a National Disgrace

President Laura Fernández unleashed a barrage of personal attacks on Costa Rica's top judicial officials on Wednesday, calling the country's attorney general a "national...

El Salvador Breaks Into Latin America’s Top 10 Startup Ecosystems

El Salvador has entered the top 10 startup ecosystems in Latin America for the first time. The country ranks 10th regionally and 80th globally...

Costa Rica’s Northern Neighbors Are Quietly Rewriting Central America Tourism

Tourism between El Salvador and Guatemala is consolidating as one of Central America's strongest growth stories, with millions of cross-border travelers fueling a regional...

Costa Rica Mangrove Bees Create Unique Honey in Puntarenas

Families in El Establo de Pitahaya, Puntarenas, are building a small community business around one of Costa Rica’s more unusual local products: honey made...

Panama Suspends Energy Sales to Costa Rica After Criticism

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced Thursday that his government has suspended plans to sell electricity to Costa Rica.He linked the decision directly to...

How Cell Phones Took Over Public Life in Costa Rica

Is there any device that humans now use more frequently and publicly than the cell phone? Once merely a portable telephone and text message...
🌴 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