No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsCrimePANI Officials Arrested: Costa Rica Uncovers Alleged Human Trafficking Ring

PANI Officials Arrested: Costa Rica Uncovers Alleged Human Trafficking Ring

On August 13, the Judicial Investigation Agency arrested five officials of the National Child Welfare Agency (PANI) for suspected human trafficking and irregular adoptions. The Specialized Section on Gender Violence and Human Trafficking of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) confirmed that following an investigation, raids were also conducted.

The suspects, three women and two men, aged between 31 and 61—were arrested in the areas of Guácimo, Siquirres, Pococí, Puerto Jiménez, and Orotina. According to authorities, investigation began in October 2022, following complaints from within the agency’s own hierarchy.

“The Executive President of PANI submitted a report to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in August 2022, in which she highlighted a series of administrative irregularities in the adoption of minors at the local PANI office in Cariari de Pococí,” authorities explained.

The Prosecutor’s Office further noted that various investigative actions led to the identification of these suspects and revealed irregularities in the placement of minors. The necessary administrative processes for adoption were not being properly followed.

It appears that the officials provided false testimony during proceedings to remove children from their biological families and place them with adoptive families, whom they then included in the adoption program. Authorities are still looking to determine whether these officials accepted any form of bribe.

All these elements came together to carry out this day’s raids, not only in the institution’s delegation in Cariari, but also in Puerto Jiménez, the Department of Immediate Regional Attention of PANI in Alajuela, the PANI headquarters in Orotina, and a comprehensive center located in Santa Ana.

Yesterday, the Criminal Court of the II Judicial Circuit of San José rejected the precautionary measures requested by the Public Prosecutor’s Office against the five PANI officials under investigation. The Prosecutor’s Office had requested a travel ban, surrender of passports, and a prohibition on contacting witnesses but did not seek preventive detention.

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s 2025 Flamingo Fishing Rodeo Highlights Sport and Conservation

With great fishing and a renewed focus on family fun, the Presidential Flamingo Fishing Rodeo presented by Marina Flamingo is set to take center stage in the world...

Costa Rica’s Massive Drug Raid Targets Cocaine Network to Europe

Costa Rican authorities struck a major blow against international drug trafficking dismantling a criminal network that smuggled over five tons of cocaine to Europe....

Rising Seas Threaten Costa Rica’s Beaches and Communities by 2030

Costa Rica’s iconic coastlines, from Limón’s Caribbean shores to Guanacaste’s Pacific beaches, face growing threats from rising sea levels driven by climate change. The...

Canada’s Porter Airlines to Launch Direct Costa Rica Flights

Porter Airlines is gearing up to connect Canada with Costa Rica, following approval from the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) to operate direct international flights....

Costa Rica Law Now Requires Corporations to Register an Email for Legal Notices

Costa Rica has recently approved a very important law which establishes a new obligation for commercial corporations, and that obligation is that they must...

Costa Rica’s US-Donated Drug Scanners Sit Unused for Seven Months

Costa Rica’s fight against drug trafficking hit a snag, and it’s raising eyebrows. Seven months ago, the United States donated two high-tech scanners to...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica