New details emerging from Costa Rica’s investigation into alleged drug-money laundering through concerts show that two prominent event producers detained this week had recent contacts with political figures and campaigns. Don Stockwell, one of the producers detained Wednesday in the so-called Exodus Case, contributed more than ₡14.1 million ($28,000) in goods and services to Unidos Podemos, the party that ran former minister Natalia Díaz for president in the 2026 election.
Separately, fellow producer Hugo Benavides Barboza met President Laura Fernández at a concert in March after an invitation was relayed through Vice President Francisco Gamboa. Neither development establishes wrongdoing by the political figures or parties involved, and authorities have not said that the political activities were connected to the alleged money-laundering scheme under investigation.
Records filed with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) show Stockwell made six in-kind contributions to Unidos Podemos between June and July 2025. The largest was approximately ₡10.7 million for organizing the party’s National Assembly. Other contributions covered an artist’s performance, airfare and lodging, as well as shirts and other expenses.
Altogether, the contributions totaled ₡14.16 million. Stockwell had a visible role around the party event, although Díaz said at the time that he was not part of the campaign or the party. She described him as an experienced event organizer whose expertise had helped with the assembly.
Stockwell also contributed approximately ₡9.5 million to the Libertarian Movement during the 2010 election cycle, according to TSE records. The political connections surfaced after the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) and Public Prosecutor’s Office carried out 22 raids Wednesday as part of the Exodus Case.
Investigators are examining whether money generated by an alleged drug-trafficking organization led by Edwin Vargas García, known as “Sobrino,” was invested in concerts and other businesses to make illicit proceeds appear legitimate. Authorities say approximately $850,000 was invested in three entertainment events during 2024 and 2025 in which Stockwell and Barboza participated.
Stockwell was released after appearing before prosecutors and confirmed this morning that he had returned home. He described the case as a misunderstanding and said he had been able to explain part of the situation to prosecutors. He said he plans to continue working in the concert business.
The investigation remains open and Stockwell has not been convicted of any crime. Barboza’s contacts with the government involve a separate series of events. President Fernández confirmed yesterday that Gamboa passed along an invitation from Barboza for her to attend the March 28 Grupo Firme concert at Costa Rica’s National Stadium.
Fernández, who was president-elect at the time, was photographed and recorded speaking with Barboza during the concert. The president said she did not know Barboza personally and had no information at the time indicating that he was under investigation. According to Fernández, Barboza contacted Gamboa, who then passed the invitation to Communications Minister Arnold Zamora.
Fernández said she did not accept a ticket from the organizers and instead attended the concert from the presidential box. Barboza later approached her there and presented her with flowers and a recognition related to government efforts to simplify permits for entertainment events.
The president said that, knowing what she knows now, she would not have attended the encounter. Another political contact involving Stockwell occurred just two days before Wednesday’s raids. On Monday, Stockwell visited the Legislative Assembly with members of the team associated with American rapper Snoop Dogg, whose Costa Rica concert is scheduled for December.
The visit included Snoop Dogg’s son, Cornell Broadus and producer Quincy Jones III and was organized through the office of Pueblo Soberano legislator and Legislative Assembly Vice President Esmeralda Britton. Legislator Krystel Ward also participated. The group was in Costa Rica working on preparations for the concert and a separate documentary project involving the Afro-descendant roots of hip-hop and Limón’s cultural heritage.
There is no indication that Britton, Ward, Fernández, Gamboa, Díaz or Unidos Podemos are under investigation in the Exodus Case. The political contacts instead add another dimension to an investigation centered on how money allegedly generated by drug trafficking may have moved into Costa Rica’s legitimate economy.
OIJ officials say investigators are following financial transactions involving concerts as well as real estate, vehicles, cattle, gold and other businesses. Authorities have not publicly identified the three concerts allegedly financed with money linked to Vargas’ organization, and they have emphasized that the performers themselves are not suspected of participating in the alleged scheme.
The investigation is continuing as prosecutors determine the legal status of those detained in yesterday’s operation.
