5 h. 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

27 h. ago Costa Rica’s New Extradition Law Faces Limits in Tackling Organized Crime

Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly passed a constitutional amendment in May, allowing the extradition of nationals for international drug trafficking and terrorism. With 44 of 57 votes in favor, the reform, signed by President Rodrigo Chaves, responds to a surge in drug-related violence and judicial corruption, which doubled from 106 cases in 2019 to 273 in […] The post Costa Rica’s New Extradition Law Faces Limits in Tackling Organized Crime appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Events

61 h. 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

61 h. 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 d. 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.

Politics

1 week ago Costa Rica Approves Extradition of Nationals for Drug Trafficking and Terrorism

Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves signed a constitutional reform on Wednesday allowing, for the first time in the country’s history, the extradition of Costa Rican nationals accused of drug trafficking and terrorism, the government announced. Once the safest country in Central America, Costa Rica ended 2024 with a homicide rate of 16.6 per 100,000 people—more […] The post Costa Rica Approves Extradition of Nationals for Drug Trafficking and Terrorism appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Events

2 w. ago Costa Rica Coast Guard Seizes Almost a Ton of Cocaine in Pacific Operation

Costa Rican authorities intercepted a fishing boat carrying 950 kilograms of cocaine off the country’s South Pacific coast near Golfito, the Ministry of Public Security announced. The National Coast Guard Service detained three Costa Rican nationals aboard the boat in a patrol targeting illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and marine resource protection. The operation, conducted with […] The post Costa Rica Coast Guard Seizes Almost a Ton of Cocaine in Pacific Operation appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics

3 w. ago Costa Rica’s Extradition Reform: Safer Streets or Legal Risks?

Costa Rica just made a decisive move to tackle organized crime. Yesterday, the Legislative Assembly voted 44-13 to amend Article 32 of the Constitution, allowing the extradition of Costa Rican citizens for international drug trafficking or terrorism. This reverses a decades-old ban, driven by a surge in narcotrafficking-related homicides and corruption cases, which jumped from […] The post Costa Rica’s Extradition Reform: Safer Streets or Legal Risks? appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Politics