No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsCrimePolice uncover $352,000 in cash hidden in bus at Panama border

Police uncover $352,000 in cash hidden in bus at Panama border

Border police discovered a cardboard box hidden behind the front dual-wheels of a bus at a customs stop in Corredores, along Costa Rica’s southern border. Inside the box officers found 35 bricks wrapped in black plastic. Peeling back the wrapping, customs police uncovered $352,610 in cash, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.

Police arrested the 45-year-old bus driver, identified by the last name Aiza, and another man on board named Ulloa, 47. Both were handed over to the Prosecutor’s Office. Neither had criminal records. In addition to the U.S. dollars, police also found ₡122,000 and Bs20 from Venezuela.

The bus was destined for Panama.

The cash seizure Friday followed another sizable discovery at Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport, where police confiscated more than €85,000 from two Dutch women entering the country Wednesday evening.

Trending Now

Costa Rica is a Leading Digital Nomad Destination in 2026

Costa Rica was given a spot among the world's leading destinations for remote workers looking ahead to 2026. According to recent Google search trends,...

Influenza Variant Circulates in Costa Rica as Health Officials Urge Prevention

Health officials in Costa Rica have confirmed the presence of a new influenza A(H3N2) variant, subclade K, as cases of respiratory illnesses rise during...

WSL Yellow Alert at Nazaré: What It Means for Latin American Big-Wave Surfers

The World Surf League has activated a yellow alert for the Tudor Nazaré Big Wave Challenge at Praia do Norte in Portugal. Incoming Atlantic...

Bukele and Elon Musk Bring Grok AI to El Salvador Public Schools

El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele and billionaire Elon Musk announced Thursday an “alliance” to use Grok, the artificial intelligence system of social network X,...

Costa Rica Shifts Toward Regenerative Tourism Alongside Other Nations

Costa Rica has long stood out for its commitment to protecting natural areas through tourism. Now, our country joins a growing number of nations...

Costa Rica’s Mighty Baird’s Tapir is the Quiet Giant of the Forest

Today we discuss a creature that’s very close to my heart, the Baird’s tapir. It’s an enormous, elephant-nosed, whistling, puddle-pooper. What’s not to love?...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica