A criminal network which trafficked cocaine from Costa Rica into Europe via Portugal and Spain was dismantled in an international police operation, the EU's law enforcement agency, Europol, announced on Thursday.
Several seizures were made in several European countries, including Belgium.
The network transported drugs from Colombia via Costa Rican companies. The cocaine was often concealed in packages of frozen yucca powder destined for Europe. The density and colour of the powder fooled customs scanners. The use of frozen cargo made the shipments undetectable to drug-sniffing dogs.
The network transported the drugs via legal logistics chains and in small quantities by air and sea so as not to attract attention. It also avoided ports known to be subject to police checks, such as Guayaquil in Ecuador.
Image taken during the police operation. Credit: Europol.
The first phase of the anti-drug operation took place in the summer of 2024 and enabled the Portuguese authorities to arrest seven suspects.
The Spanish police then arrested 13 more, including a key figure, in a subsequent phase. These individuals had set up logistics companies and played a pivotal role in the transport and distribution of the cocaine.
The final phase took place in Costa Rica on 11 June and led to the arrest of 12 suspects, including the head of the network. The Costa Rican police also carried out 20 searches.
The operation led to 21 seizures in Costa Rica, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. A total of 5.4 tonnes of drugs were seized.
The network was completely dismantled, both in Costa Rica and in Europe.
