National authorities foresee an increase in drug trafficking this year, but Security Minister, Gustavo Mata, assured that the country is equipped to fight organized crime.
I have been working in police institutions for 35 years, and never before in the history of this country have we been as able as we are today to contain this phenomenon that affects us,”
said Mata.
The chief said the improved equipment was due to international cooperation and the approval of 25 billion colones in the security budget.
We didn’t have the money before… Every time we leave the country we are embarrassed, but we do whatever it takes for the country. We go and beg. We ask other countries to help us and become our partners,”
added Mata, who recently strengthen the cooperation ties with Colombia and the US.
The director of the National Guard, Martín Arias, said that in addition to foreign aid, the country will invest more than 10 million in operating equipment: an 85-feet patrol that allow operations for a full week to block access and 4 boats for the pursuit of drug trafficking boats.
In addition, for this year the authorities hope to count on:
– Recruitment of 1500 police officers during 2017
– Radar in the Pacific covering 240 miles
– 2 skytruck aircraft arriving in September
– 3 helicopters
– Remodeling of King Air aircraft (small jet)
– 2 110-feet ships (interceptors) manned by 16 sailors
– 1 45-foot intercept boat
– The 2 planes donated by China
– New National Police Academy in Guápiles
– 7 new boats donated by the United States (Could be doubled)
Las autoridades policiales estiman que para los próximos 12 meses se registrará un aumento en el tráfico internacional de drogas. Los reportes de inteligencia provenientes de Colombia señalan que las producciones de cocaína en el país sudamericano han aumentado hasta 3 veces más en los últimos años.
Police authorities believe there will be an increase in international drug trafficking. Intelligence reports from Colombia indicate that cocaine production in the South American country has increased up to 3 times in recent years.
Organizations are paying with cocaine, it is the currency that is being used as payment. These organizations do not use the banking system. They do not use checks and simply sell cocaine and get the money,”
said the minister, who explained that 70% of homicides in the country are the result of conflicts between organized crime gangs.
85% of the cocaine that goes to the United States is transported through the Pacific, while in the Caribbean, the battle is against the introduction of marijuana from Jamaica.
However, Arias said they are not scared by these figures and that they feel confident.
In 2016 Costa Rica seized 25 tons of drugs.