Costa Rican authorities arrested a Canadian man accused of leading a large-scale drug and weapons operation in British Columbia. Jesse Michael Valentino Bou-Saleh, 35, had evaded capture for over two years before his detention in this coastal town. The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), working with Interpol, took Bou-Saleh into custody on January 22 after months of tracking his movements.
He lived in a residence here with his partner and children, blending into the local community while wanted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). During the raid, officers seized cash, bulletproof vests, six firearms, and records of drug transactions from the property. No drugs turned up in the search. Bou-Saleh’s wife, Katarina Bou-Saleh, now faces scrutiny as part of the ongoing probe.
Canadian officials label Bou-Saleh as the head of a gang rooted in Lake Country, in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. The RCMP tied him to a 2023 operation that marked their biggest seizure ever: nearly 20 kilograms of drugs like fentanyl, cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine, plus $58,000 in cash, 45 firearms, bulletproof gear, and tools for making drugs.
Raids hit his network in Vernon that March, leading to five arrests. Bou-Saleh slipped away and crossed borders, landing in Costa Rica. Charges against him and others surfaced in Vernon Provincial Court in February 2025.
Links emerged between Bou-Saleh and Nabil Mahmoud Abdel-Kader, another Canadian trafficker. Abdel-Kader gained notoriety last year when a judge tossed out drug charges against him. Police had discovered $200,000 in methamphetamine and cocaine hidden in his Jeep, but the court ruled the search broke his rights.
That case stemmed from a 2020 hit-and-run where a cyclist suffered an assault by people connected to Abdel-Kader. Video evidence pointed to his vehicle, but judges found law enforcement sidestepped rules during the seizure, freeing him. Some called Abdel-Kader “untouchable” due to these repeated legal wins.
Bou-Saleh’s capture signals progress in breaking up a group with ties across North and Central America. Extradition steps have started, with him held in Costa Rica pending transfer to Canada. This arrest highlights Costa Rica’s role in international efforts against organized crime. Local police often partner with foreign agencies to target fugitives who seek refuge in the country’s beaches and towns.
Officials say operations like this disrupt supply chains feeding dangerous substances into communities. The RCMP praised the collaboration, noting it weakens networks that fuel addiction and violence. As proceedings unfold, Bou-Saleh remains in detention. His case underscores the reach of cross-border policing and the challenges of pursuing high-level suspects.
