A man surnamed Otarola was detained by Costa Rican Fuerza Publica officers in the Los Diques sector of Cartago after trying to flee a police intervention while carrying 3,858 doses of suspected drugs.[1][2] Officers of the Grupo Lince unit stopped the man while he was travelling by motorcycle during preventive surveillance in the Dique Claudio Zuniga community in central Cartago canton.[1] The suspect tried to flee when he saw the police but was intercepted, and officers found several bags containing suspected illicit substances and a large amount of money.[1]
Authorities counted 2,807 doses of suspected crack, the largest share of the load.[1] They also found 701 wraps of suspected marijuana and 350 doses of suspected cocaine, for a total of 3,858 units of different drugs.[1][2] Along with the cash, police seized 8 US dollars and the motorcycle used by the detainee.[1] Officers seized more than 5.3 million colones, described as about 11,000 US dollars, in cash.[1]
After the intervention, officers coordinated with the Public Prosecution Service, which assigned the judicial procedures to the Drug Control Police.[1][2] The suspect was placed at the disposal of the Public Prosecution Service, which was to decide on further steps and assess possible charges.[1] No request for pretrial measures or judicial hearing in connection with the detention had been reported.[1] The detainee was identified only by his surname, Otarola, and police said he had a record for simple theft and drug possession.[1]
