Traffic Officers Accused of Collaborating with Narcotics Gang in Costa Rica
Four transit officers face severe prison sentences linked to a drug trafficking organization involved in homicide and arms trade.
Four traffic officers in Costa Rica are facing potential lengthy prison sentences following allegations of their involvement with a narcotics organization operating along the northern corridor, from Pococí to San Carlos and Guanacaste.
The group is reportedly linked to Alejandro Arias Monge, known by the alias 'Diablo', a prominent drug trafficker in the Caribbean region.
The organization is accused of trafficking marijuana and ecstasy, as well as engaging in arms trade and a homicide committed in 2022, resulting in the death of Eric Vallejos Rodríguez.
In light of these allegations, the Public Ministry has requested a total of 346 years of imprisonment for ten suspects, who are believed to have committed their offenses between June 1, 2018, and October 12, 2022.
The most severe sentence sought by the San Carlos Penal Court pertains to a traffic officer surnamed Bravo Quesada, who is the head of the La Fortuna Traffic delegation.
The prosecution is seeking 60 years in prison on charges that include drug law violations, qualified homicide, organized crime, arms trafficking, misuse of public funds, and ideological falsehood.
The other implicated officers and the penalties sought against them include Salas Gutiérrez (48 years and three months), López Quesada (33 years and six months), and Ulate Vásquez (12 years).
Additionally, six other individuals affiliated with the organization are facing charges, with sentences being requested as follows: Arce Ávila (21 years), Artavia Angulo (48 years), Zambrana Esquivel (58 years), Matamoros Quirós (49 years), Porras Cruz (17 years), and Rodríguez Zelaya (17 years).
Details from the case revealed by Prosecutor Héctor Bodán indicate that the officers allegedly provided the criminal organization with weapons, vehicles, and confiscated plates kept at police facilities.
Furthermore, the officers reportedly informed the gang about ongoing road operations and allegedly utilized police patrols to transport drugs without raising suspicion.
The prosecution also asserts that some of the detainees, with the assistance of the traffic officers, were responsible for transferring funds from the criminal organization to Nicaragua, the home country of the gang leader identified as Martínez Rodríguez, known as 'Eddy', who has not yet been apprehended.
The criminal group is accused of distributing cocaine, marijuana, and synthetic drugs such as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, in locations including La Fortuna, Cerro Cortés de Aguas Zarcas, Muelle de San Carlos, Peñas Blancas de San Ramón, Coopevega de Cutris, and Guatuso.
The homicide for which the suspects are charged occurred on May 17, 2022, in Santa Gertrudis de Peñas Blancas, in the canton of San Ramón. Reports indicate that Eric Vallejos Rodríguez, aged 35, was driving a pickup truck when, approximately 150 meters from his home, he encountered a car that collided with him from the side.
From the lighter vehicle, three individuals wearing masks and armed with long guns exited and shot at him multiple times, with some bullets hitting a nearby residence.
Witnesses stated the armed suspects fled from the scene, leaving behind the front bumper of the car, which bore the vehicle's license plate.
The assailants abandoned the vehicle around three kilometers from the crime scene.
The Judicial Power has confirmed that the trial is currently in the conclusion phase, with no set date announced for the reading of the sentence.
The group is reportedly linked to Alejandro Arias Monge, known by the alias 'Diablo', a prominent drug trafficker in the Caribbean region.
The organization is accused of trafficking marijuana and ecstasy, as well as engaging in arms trade and a homicide committed in 2022, resulting in the death of Eric Vallejos Rodríguez.
In light of these allegations, the Public Ministry has requested a total of 346 years of imprisonment for ten suspects, who are believed to have committed their offenses between June 1, 2018, and October 12, 2022.
The most severe sentence sought by the San Carlos Penal Court pertains to a traffic officer surnamed Bravo Quesada, who is the head of the La Fortuna Traffic delegation.
The prosecution is seeking 60 years in prison on charges that include drug law violations, qualified homicide, organized crime, arms trafficking, misuse of public funds, and ideological falsehood.
The other implicated officers and the penalties sought against them include Salas Gutiérrez (48 years and three months), López Quesada (33 years and six months), and Ulate Vásquez (12 years).
Additionally, six other individuals affiliated with the organization are facing charges, with sentences being requested as follows: Arce Ávila (21 years), Artavia Angulo (48 years), Zambrana Esquivel (58 years), Matamoros Quirós (49 years), Porras Cruz (17 years), and Rodríguez Zelaya (17 years).
Details from the case revealed by Prosecutor Héctor Bodán indicate that the officers allegedly provided the criminal organization with weapons, vehicles, and confiscated plates kept at police facilities.
Furthermore, the officers reportedly informed the gang about ongoing road operations and allegedly utilized police patrols to transport drugs without raising suspicion.
The prosecution also asserts that some of the detainees, with the assistance of the traffic officers, were responsible for transferring funds from the criminal organization to Nicaragua, the home country of the gang leader identified as Martínez Rodríguez, known as 'Eddy', who has not yet been apprehended.
The criminal group is accused of distributing cocaine, marijuana, and synthetic drugs such as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, in locations including La Fortuna, Cerro Cortés de Aguas Zarcas, Muelle de San Carlos, Peñas Blancas de San Ramón, Coopevega de Cutris, and Guatuso.
The homicide for which the suspects are charged occurred on May 17, 2022, in Santa Gertrudis de Peñas Blancas, in the canton of San Ramón. Reports indicate that Eric Vallejos Rodríguez, aged 35, was driving a pickup truck when, approximately 150 meters from his home, he encountered a car that collided with him from the side.
From the lighter vehicle, three individuals wearing masks and armed with long guns exited and shot at him multiple times, with some bullets hitting a nearby residence.
Witnesses stated the armed suspects fled from the scene, leaving behind the front bumper of the car, which bore the vehicle's license plate.
The assailants abandoned the vehicle around three kilometers from the crime scene.
The Judicial Power has confirmed that the trial is currently in the conclusion phase, with no set date announced for the reading of the sentence.
