The suspect boat carried two Costa Ricans and two Colombians, who were placed at the authorities’ disposal.[1] The two Costa Ricans were identified only by the surnames Quesada and Paniagua and were from Limon province on the Caribbean coast, while the two Colombians were identified only by the surnames Cuero and Taylor.[1] The four suspects were presented to the Public Ministry for alleged drug trafficking.[1]

Costa Rica’s Public Security Ministry said the operation seized two tons of drugs from a boat moving in Pacific waters.[2] The ministry said the boat was carrying a total of two tons of marijuana and cocaine together, with no separate weight for either drug.[1] The ministry described the craft as a fast boat with no name, registration or flag.[1] The boat was stopped on Monday more than 250 kilometres from Punta Burica in the southern Pacific.[1] The evidence and the detainees were not brought to the port of Golfito until Tuesday.[1] Those aboard threw the drugs into the sea when they noticed the police, and coast-guard crews recovered close to two tons of marijuana and cocaine.[1]

The ministry carried out the interception with the Judicial Investigation Agency and United States authorities.[1] Costa Rica had logistical support from United States aircraft and vessels alongside its coast-guard vessels to capture the suspect boat.[1] Drug trafficking in Costa Rica carries up to 20 years in prison.[1]