Costa Rica’s police broke up two linked Cuban-led trafficking networks on Wednesday 8 June 2016, the Public Security Minister Gustavo Mata Vega announced at a press conference.[1] One network recruited poor Costa Ricans as couriers, flying them to Cuba with drug deliveries hidden in clothing.[1] The other grew cannabis in clandestine hydroponic laboratories, at least three of which were found, and supplied the courier operation; the caretakers were arrested.[1]

Seven searches in San José that Wednesday seized 24 grams of cannabis buds, 24.6 grams of cannabis stems and 58 cannabis plants between 60 centimetres and a metre tall.[1] The searches also yielded 11,500 US dollars, three revolvers, five cars and a motorcycle, a heat sealer and five air-conditioning units.[1] The investigation began in September 2015 with the Drug Control Police of the security ministry and the National Intelligence and Security Directorate of the presidency.[1]