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

Camera Traps Track Jaguars in Costa Rica’s Tortuguero

Camera traps installed along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast have identified 11 individual jaguars in and around Tortuguero National Park, offering researchers a closer look...

Francisco Cerúndolo Falls in Shanghai as Breakthrough 2026 Season Faces Another Test

Francisco Cerúndolo's run at the Shanghai Masters ended Sunday with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 loss to Czech player Jakub Menšík, bringing another early finish...

Costa Rica’s First Artificial Beach Runs on Well Water as Guanacaste Dries Out

Costa Rica's first artificial beach draws on well water as Guanacaste heads into an El Niño dry season with forecasts of 80% less rain.

Costa Rica Suspends Investigation Into Who Ordered Roberto Samcam’s Murder

Costa Rica’s prosecutor’s office has suspended its investigation into who ordered the 2025 killing of retired Nicaraguan military officer Roberto Samcam, an outspoken critic...

Costa Rica’s Pensionado Visa Ranks Fourth in Global Retirement Index

Costa Rica's Pensionado visa ranks fourth of 46 retirement programs worldwide on its $1,000 income rule and tax treatment. Paperwork is the weak spot.

Costa Rica Raids 80 Locations in Major Fuel Theft and Organized Crime Investigation

Costa Rica's OIJ carried out 80 raids Friday against an alleged network accused of stealing 654,000 liters of fuel and $1.5 million in cargo, with 22 detained.

Juan Manuel Cerúndolo Beats Nicolás Mejía to Set Up Carlos Alcaraz Clash in Shanghai

Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerúndolo advanced to the second round of the Shanghai Masters on Thursday with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Colombia's Nicolás Mejía,...

Costa Rica Beats Haiti 2-0 as Bryan Ruiz Finishes Interim Run Unbeaten

Costa Rica beat Haiti 2-0 last night at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, closing its Concacaf Nations League group stage with a second consecutive victory under...

Canadian arrivals in Costa Rica jump 24% as travelers skip the US

Canadian visits to Costa Rica are up 24% this year, and long stays are driving millions in new spending.
Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

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