Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ)carried out a sweeping operation against a suspected money-laundering structure tied to narcotics trafficking, raiding homes and businesses in Escazú, Santa Ana, Alajuela, Heredia and Pérez Zeledón. The case, known as Lusso, Italian for “luxury,” left eight people detained and placed millions of dollars in properties, vehicles and business assets under investigation.
The suspected leader, a man surnamed Alfaro Flores, was arrested in a mansion valued at about $3 million in the Cerro Real condominium in Escazú. The residence included a private cinema, jacuzzi, swimming pool and private gym, making it one of the clearest symbols of the wealth investigators say was built through the alleged structure.
Investigators linked the group to 29 properties valued at roughly $7 million and a luxury vehicle collection valued at about $2.7 million. Among the seized cars was a model worth about $400,000, one of only a few of its kind in Costa Rica. Authorities also seized cash and an AR-15 style firearm during the operation.
The suspected laundering scheme allegedly moved money through high-end real estate, luxury car imports, a recycling company and gyms. One of the businesses under investigation is The Gym, which has locations in San Francisco de Heredia and Alajuela. OIJ agents seized close to 400 exercise machines as part of the operation.
The investigation also reached a second gym in Santo Domingo de Heredia, Lanuza Performance. Its owner, identified by last names Lanuza Víquez, was among the eight detainees. Investigators suspect he worked with Alfaro Flores to introduce drug money into the formal economy through businesses, vehicles and property purchases.
The case is tied to earlier drug-trafficking investigations known as Torrero, also reported as Torero, and Manantiales. Those investigations trace back to a January 13, 2016, incident in Puerto Morazán, Chinandega, Nicaragua, where a Costa Rican aircraft was found with three suitcases containing 89 kilos of cocaine.
Prosecutors say the organization allegedly trafficked drugs by air toward Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala, then used the proceeds to acquire and manage high-value assets in Costa Rica. The eight suspects were scheduled to face a hearing Tuesday before the Criminal Court of Heredia, where prosecutors were expected to request precautionary measures.
The case now moves from the spectacle of the raids to the financial evidence. Prosecutors will have to prove that the properties, cars, businesses and registered assets were used to disguise money from narcotics trafficking. For now, the detainees remain suspects, and the case is still under judicial investigation.
