1 week ago Celso Gamboa Allegedly Ran Drug Ring with Costa Rican Government Ties

Celso Gamboa, once Costa Rica’s Security Minister and a Supreme Court judge, now faces extradition to the U.S. for leading a major cocaine trafficking network. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) alleges Gamboa coordinated shipments across Central America, Colombia, and Mexico, and shockingly claimed government backing to pull it off. Arrested in San José yesterday, […] The post Celso Gamboa Allegedly Ran Drug Ring with Costa Rican Government Ties appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

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1 week ago Former Costa Rican Minister Arrested for Drug Trafficking, Faces U.S. Extradition

Costa Rica’s judicial police arrested Celso Gamboa, a former security minister and Supreme Court judge, on Monday, following a U.S. request for his extradition on drug trafficking charges. The 49-year-old was detained in San Jose, marking a significant moment for the country’s fight against organized crime. This arrest comes just weeks after Costa Rica passed […] The post Former Costa Rican Minister Arrested for Drug Trafficking, Faces U.S. Extradition appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

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2 w. ago Álvaro Torres Crespo On Capturing With the Poignant ‘Ella Se Detiene a Mirar’ How Fishermen Are Turning to Drug Trafficking in Small Corners of Costa Rica

Álvaro Torres Crespo On Capturing With the Poignant ‘Ella Se Detiene a Mirar’ How Fishermen Are Turning to Drug Trafficking in Small Corners of Costa Rica  Variety

Events

3 w. ago Frozen yucca, hidden cocaine: drug route from Costa Rica to Europe dismantled

Frozen yucca, hidden cocaine: drug route from Costa Rica to Europe dismantled  europol.europa.eu

Politics

3 w. ago Costa Rica’s Massive Drug Raid Targets Cocaine Network to Europe

Costa Rican authorities struck a major blow against international drug trafficking dismantling a criminal network that smuggled over five tons of cocaine to Europe. The Drug Control Police (PCD) led the operation, named “Purge” internationally and the “Embassy Case” domestically, resulting in 12 arrests in Costa Rica and 25 more across Spain, Germany, Portugal, and […] The post Costa Rica’s Massive Drug Raid Targets Cocaine Network to Europe appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Events

4 w. ago Will Costa Rica’s New Extradition Treaty with the US Curb Growing Drug Trafficking?

Will Costa Rica’s New Extradition Treaty with the US Curb Growing Drug Trafficking?  InSight Crime

Politics

4 w. ago Will Costa Rica’s New Extradition Agreement with the US Curb Growing Drug Trafficking?

Will Costa Rica’s New Extradition Agreement with the US Curb Growing Drug Trafficking?  InSight Crime

Politics

4 w. ago Costa Rica Fights Drug Trafficking as Transit Hub Despite Resource Strains

Costa Rica remains a key route for drugs heading to North America, despite efforts to crack down on trafficking. The U.S. Department of State’s 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report reveals a slight drop in drug seizures—32.1 metric tons (MT) from January to September 2024, including 20.5 MT of cocaine and 11.5 MT of marijuana, […] The post Costa Rica Fights Drug Trafficking as Transit Hub Despite Resource Strains appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

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