A taster and expert in fine coffees surnamed Fernández Campos was apparently a key member of the gang that stole export-quality coffee containers and replaced it with sand. As consequence, countries in Europe and Asia received sand instead of the high-quality, Costa Rican coffee.
Fernandez, an official from a recognized coffee roaster, was part of the 11 people arrested on November 1st in the raids conducted by the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ).
Coffee has some features that make it unique: texture, color and acidity. If that coffee export was placed on the domestic market, skilled people could establish where it comes from or what companies it belongs to,”
stated Michael Soto, deputy director of the OIJ.
Suspects used to steal the coffee and replace it with sand. The suspects claimed to vendors that coffee came from any toaster and the selling and packing companies didn’t know that it was stolen.
The gang was operated by a person surnamed Acuña who lives in Limón. The raids were made after thorough monitoring and 9 complaints under investigation.