San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rican authorities have intercepted 50 kilograms of cocaine concealed within scrap metal destined for Bulgaria. The Ministry of Security announced the seizure on Monday, marking a significant success in the country’s ongoing battle against international drug trafficking.
The illicit cargo was discovered at the Caribbean port of Moín, a key transit point for shipments heading to Europe. Authorities found the drugs inside two metal cylinders hidden within a container carrying scrap metal.
The discovery was made possible through the use of advanced scanning technology, a tool increasingly relied upon in Costa Rica’s efforts to curb narcotics smuggling.
Security Minister Mario Zamora hailed the seizure as a major achievement in the nation’s broader anti-drug strategy. “This operation demonstrates our commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and preventing Costa Rica from being used as a transit hub for illicit substances,” Zamora said in a statement.
Authorities spent several hours cutting open the sealed cylinders, eventually uncovering 25 tightly packed packages of cocaine in each. Officials believe the drugs were intended to reach the European market, where demand for South American cocaine has surged in recent years.
“Operation Sovereignty” Bolsters Anti-Drug Efforts
The interception was part of Costa Rica’s “Operation Sovereignty,” an initiative launched in 2023 to combat the escalating smuggling of drugs through the country’s ports. The initiative has seen an increase in police presence and the deployment of high-tech scanners to inspect outgoing cargo.
In recent years, Costa Rica has emerged as a strategic transit point for drug traffickers moving cocaine from South America to Europe and North America. The country’s geographical location and busy maritime routes make it an attractive target for smugglers looking to bypass traditional routes through Mexico and the Caribbean.
Authorities believe this latest interception underscores the effectiveness of enhanced port surveillance. “Drug traffickers continuously find new ways to conceal their shipments, but our enhanced security measures are proving successful in identifying and stopping these operations before they reach their destinations,” said a spokesperson for Costa Rica’s anti-narcotics division.
Rising Cocaine Shipments to Europe
Law enforcement agencies across Latin America and Europe have reported a sharp increase in cocaine shipments to European ports. Major trafficking networks, often linked to organized crime groups, are exploiting gaps in maritime security to smuggle drugs in containers carrying legitimate goods.
Costa Rican authorities have urged greater international cooperation to combat this trend, calling on European nations to bolster their inspection protocols and intelligence-sharing efforts.
This seizure comes amid a series of successful anti-drug operations in Costa Rica, which has intercepted several large shipments of narcotics in recent months. The government has pledged to continue strengthening its counter-narcotics measures, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and international collaboration.
Officials did not disclose whether any arrests had been made in connection with the latest bust, but investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for attempting to smuggle the cocaine into Bulgaria. Authorities remain committed to tracking down the criminal networks behind the operation.
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