Puerto Rico police arrested at least 60 people on 4 August 2026 in an island-wide operation against drug sale points near schools and parks.[1][2] The operation, called Operación Espacio Seguro, targeted 95 people — 88 men, six women and a minor — through 94 arrest warrants and one apprehension order, with bail set at 8.8 million dollars for Controlled Substances Act violations.[1][2] The five-month investigation aimed to dismantle groups trafficking controlled substances around schools, childcare centres, libraries and recreational areas ahead of the new school year.[1][2] Authorities said warrant service was continuing and more people remained to be detained.[1] Prosecutors and the Justice Department’s organized-crime and drugs division filed 248 charges for Controlled Substances Act violations, with total bail of 8.8 million dollars.[1][2] Police said 40 of the accused have criminal records, including Controlled Substances Act violations, domestic-violence law violations and unlawful appropriation.[1]

Officers seized 101 pieces of marijuana and one pound of marijuana, about 0.45 kg, as the separately supported cannabis component.[1][2] A second account separately lists the same cannabis seizure as 101 pieces of marijuana and one pound of marijuana.[3] The same operation also seized 134 bags of cocaine, 5 grams of cocaine, 399 pieces of crack, 30 grams of fentanyl, 123 doses of heroin and nine vehicles, which are not counted as cannabis.[1] The operation covered 25 municipalities, documenting 28 drug transactions near schools and 67 in recreational areas frequented by minors and families.[1]

Police superintendent Joseph González said the operation was meant to reclaim spaces where children study, play and develop and to block drug trafficking near schools, parks and community centres.[1]

Primera Hora reported the operation was a five-month undercover investigation that cost 25,000 dollars.[4] Primera Hora reported that 61 people were arrested in 25 municipalities, mostly in the southern and western areas.[4] Primera Hora reported that the most serious charge was article 411-A of the Controlled Substances Act, a felony covering drug sales within a 100-metre perimeter of schools and recreational facilities.[4]