n international operation coordinated on the European side by Europol has dismantled a transnational criminal organisation trafficking large quantities of cocaine from Costa Rica to Europe via Spain and Portugal.
The investigation targeted a criminal network that used companies in Costa Rica to receive cocaine from Colombia and conceal it in shipments of frozen yucca powder destined for Europe. The group relied on legitimate logistics chains to disguise their criminal activities and move cocaine by sea and air in small quantities to avoid detection.
Shifting logistical routes in response to law enforcement pressure
Due to intensified police pressure on other well-known ports such as Guayaquil in Ecuador, criminal organisations have increasingly sought alternative, what they believed to be more secure locations for their operations. This drug trafficking organisation has turned to Costa Rica in recent years as a logistical base to receive cocaine shipments from Colombia, store them, and prepare them for shipment to Europe.
The criminal network’s most common modus operandi involved concealing cocaine in thin sheets hidden within frozen yucca powder. Due to the density and colour of the product, the cocaine went undetected by scanner systems during customs inspections. The use of frozen cargo also rendered the shipments undetectable to drug-sniffing dogs.
This concealment technique allowed the organisation to repeatedly traffic cocaine to Europe.
Two-phase takedown across Spain, Portugal and Costa Rica
The first phase of the operation took place on the European continent last year. In the summer of 2024, the Portuguese authorities carried out controlled deliveries and arrested the alleged recipients of these shipments. A total of 7 individuals were arrested then.
Later that year, the Spanish authorities followed with the arrest of an additional 13 individuals, including one high-value target.
The suspects had established logistics companies to give the shipments a legal appearance and played key roles in transport and distribution. Among those arrested was a Dominican national based in Barcelona who had purchased the cocaine and intended to distribute it across Europe.
The second phase took place in Costa Rica on 11 June 2025, targeting the core of the criminal organisation. Costa Rican authorities carried out 12 arrests, including the leader of the organisation, and conducted 20 home searches.
To date, the operation has led to 21 seizures across Costa Rica, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands, with authorities seizing a total of 5.4 tonnes of cocaine. The series of arrests have led to the dismantling of the entire criminal organisation, both the supplier side operating in Costa Rica and the receiving side in Europe.
International coordination
Europol supported the EU Member States involved in the operation by facilitating the secure exchange of intelligence, providing analytical expertise, and coordinating joint operational activities. Europol also hosted several strategic and operational meetings to ensure seamless collaboration between the national authorities.
The investigation was carried out on the European side under the umbrella of an Operational Task Force (OTF) at Europol, which provided a robust platform for multi-agency collaboration and ensured the smooth progress of the case across jurisdictions.
The coordination between European partners and Costa Rica was effectively strengthened through the GDIN Project — a framework designed to enhance cooperation and information sharing between EU law enforcement agencies and third countries like Costa Rica. The GDIN Project is financed by the European Union’s ISF and led by the Spanish Guardia Civil.
The following authorities took part in the investigation:
- Costa Rica: Drug Control Police (Policía de Control de Drogas)
- Portugal: Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária)
- Spain: Guardia Civil