During the first day of Palmares celebrations, 19 people have been arrested. This was confirmed by the press office of the Ministry of Public Security.
The entity indicated that 15 arrests were for possession and consumption of drugs, one for resistance, two contraventions for disorderly conduct in public, and one for sale of liquor.
The authorities also seized 83 cans of liquor as well as drugs.
Although the criminal figures in the last two years have diminished in the canton of Alajuela compared to their predecessors, the crowded celebrations represent a desired opportunity for thugs.
According to Juan Pablo Calvo, head of the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) of San Ramón and the Western region, to face possible crimes they prepared a group of 30 undercover agents who will help 40 officers of the Ministry of Public Security (MSP) within the fairground.
Crimes in previous celebrations went from sexual attacks to assaults and robberies.
It is worth mentioning that the Tope de Palmares that takes place on Thursday registered very little assistance compared to previous editions. The authorities made a call to be careful with gangs of thieves and pickpocketers getting ready to attack in Palmares.
A year ago, in only four days of celebration, the Public Force arrested 275 people, that is, about 68 daily.