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Drug trafficking

Costa Rica dismantles international drug trafficking ring

The 22 people arrested included a police officer and four Coast Guard officers.

Three Ecuadorians sentenced in Costa Rica for drug trafficking

The three men were subject to a short trial after pleading guilty to the charges against them, the Public Ministry stated in a press release on Friday.

Judge approves extradition of Mexican drug lord Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán

Infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán is one step closer to extradition to the United States after a Thursday ruling.

Five Costa Ricans caught with 600 kilos of cocaine off Colombian coast

Five Costa Rica men were busted on board the Éxito 1 ship that was hauling 626 kilograms of cocaine on Thursday in Colombian waters.

Park rangers arrested in drug bust

Two park rangers were among those arrested Monday in a raid on a drug organization that officials say grew and shipped marijuana from southern Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Coast Guard seizes more than 2 metric tons of cocaine

The four men arrested — three Nicaraguans and a Costa Rican — did not have criminal records. If convicted, they would face up to 20 years in prison.

Police discover 33 illegal landing strips along Pacific coast

One day after a drug plane crashed off the Osa Peninsula, authorities reported the discovery of dozens of illegal airstrips all along Costa Rica's Pacific coast.

Drug plane crashes off Puerto Jiménez in southern Costa Rica

A plane believed to be connected to drug trafficking crashed off the shores of Puerto Jiménez early Tuesday morning. Police found a body floating near the wreckage.

‘El Chapo’ Guzmán and actress Kate del Castillo talked of ‘dream’ meeting in texts

Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán called actress Kate del Castillo "beautiful," while she confessed her "dream" of meeting him in leaked text messages filled with warm exchanges.

Nicaragua seizes cocaine on board small aircraft from Costa Rica

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Nicaraguan authorities on Wednesday seized a shipment of cocaine that was flown into the country aboard a small airplane from Costa Rica after the aircraft landed in a northwestern region of the country. The flight's crew managed to escape, police said.
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Costa Rica Captures Alleged Shooter in Nicaraguan Exile’s Murder

Police in Costa Rica arrested a 21-year-old man suspected of pulling the trigger in the June 2025 killing of Roberto Samcam, a retired Nicaraguan...

Daddy Yankee Brings Faith-Focused Testimony to Costa Rica

Puerto Rican artist Daddy Yankee plans to visit Costa Rica later this month to present his conference "El Testimonio." The event takes place on...

Costa Rica National Surf Circuit 2026 Begins at Playa Cocles

The national surf circuit launches its 2026 season this weekend at Playa Cocles in Talamanca, drawing over 140 competitors to the Caribbean coast. From...

Puma spotted near tourists in Costa Rica’s Corcovado

The short encounter was recorded on a cellphone by Keylor Monge, a local tour guide who was leading an excursion on Friday, Feb. 6....