Q COSTA RICA — The Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) — Costa Rica’S Judicial Investigation Agency — confirmed the arrest of Alejandro Arias Monge, known as “Diablo,” during an operation carried out this Friday morning, July 24. The capture, led by the Oficina Contra el Crimen Organizado (OECDO) — Office Against Organized Crime — was the culmination of several years of investigations and involved the participation of OIJ tactical units. In the operation, five OIJ agents were injured, one critically, reflecting the high level of risk associated with the arrest of El Diablo, considered one of the most dangerous criminals in Costa Rica, wanted for multiple violent crimes, and with an unprecedented criminal record.
Department of Justice (DOJ) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)had offered a US$500,000 reward for information leading to his capture or prosecution, in coordination with the Costa Rica’s Attorney General’s Office and the OIJ. The interim director of the OIJ, Michael Soto, confirmed the arrest of Alejandro Arias Monge during a police operation in the San Bernardino de Sarapiquí area, close to the Costa Rica – Nicaragua border. The operation, coordinated with the Ministerio Público and the Judiciary, also resulted in the capture of two individuals identified as “Tang,” from the Batán area, and “Coco Guásimo,” whose last name is Ríos Oconitrillo.
The latter died after an exchange of gunfire with the officers. According to Soto himself, the operation began at 5:00 a.m. Tactical units from the OIJ, supported by the Surveillance Unit and the Organized Crime Office, entered the target area, where a high-intensity armed confrontation took place.
“It was a fairly complex operation, at five in the morning, when our SERT (tactical group), along with the support of the Surveillance and Monitoring Unit and the Organized Crime Office, entered this sector and a rather strong exchange of gunfire took place,” Soto explained. According to official reports, four of the OIJ agents shot in the gunfight are in stable condition; the fifth was transferred to a hospital in San José. Seized in the operation were at least five high-caliber assault rifles at the scene, including an FAL and an AK-47, as well as three pistols and drone surveillance technology.
According to the OIJ, the drones were being used to monitor the…
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