The Drug Control Police have dismantled a suspected drug trafficking organization that was operating in several neighborhoods in southern San José, Costa Rica.

The Anti-Drug Police conducted simultaneous raids in various areas of southern San José as part of the "ROTONDA" case. Courtesy: Ministry of Public Security. On Monday, the Anti-Drug Police executed a series of simultaneous raids in various areas of southern San José as part of the investigation known as the "ROTONDA" case, an operation that led to the dismantling of a suspected criminal organization dedicated to local drug trafficking. The operations took place in several locations in the Catedral district, specifically in San Sebastián, the Los Geranios residential area, Barrio La Cruz, Barrio Lomas de Ocloro, Barrio Güell, and Paso Ancho, areas that, according to police investigations, were used by the group for the distribution and sale of drugs. According to authorities, the investigation began in January 2026 and identified a suspected organized structure operating primarily in the Paso Ancho and Lomas de Ocloro areas. As a result of the operation, eight people were arrested, including the apparent leaders of the organization: a woman named Oses, 27 years old, and her partner, Arrieta, 26 years old, who are identified as the main individuals responsible for directing local drug trafficking activities. Authorities indicated that both suspects did not have pending legal cases at the time of their arrest, although they did have prior police records related to drug possession and trafficking. Authorities arrested eight suspects, including the alleged leaders of the criminal structure. Courtesy: Ministry of Public Security. According to information provided by the Anti-Drug Police, the structure also included several family members of the suspected leader, including an aunt named Oses and other close associates who performed middle management, distribution, and sales functions. Among those arrested is a man named Bustos, the partner of one of the members of the organization, as well as other suspects who, according to the police file, performed specific tasks within the criminal network. The investigation determined that the group used third parties to distribute drugs to sellers in various areas of the capital, a mechanism that allowed them to maintain retail operations in communities in southern San José. Authorities also reported that three people linked to the group were murdered in Paso Ancho in February, an event that is now part of the investigative context related to criminal disputes in the area. The police investigation began in January 2026 and identified sales points in Paso Ancho and Lomas de Ocloro. Courtesy: Ministry of Public Security. The police report details that several of the suspects have extensive criminal and police records for offenses related to drug trafficking, aggravated robbery, illegal possession of weapons, cyber fraud, kidnapping, and other illegal activities. Among them is a man named Oses, 37 years old, who has a record since 2007 for offenses such as aggravated robbery, international drug trafficking, attempted fraud, and illegal possession of weapons. Similarly, other members of the structure had multiple records for drug sales and possession, as well as recidivism in property crimes and assaults. The Anti-Drug Police emphasized that one of the most concerning aspects of the case is that drug sales took place near educational centers, where minors and students in school uniforms were constantly present. Authorities reported that surveillance documented constant movement of buyers and sellers in areas near residential areas and educational centers. Authorities indicated that the drug transactions carried out by the detainees took place near educational centers in southern San José. Courtesy: Ministry of Public Security. During the raids, officers seized significant quantities of drugs and other items related to the criminal investigation. Among the items seized were more than 1,020 grams of cocaine, more than 2,290 grams of crack, four bottles of Ketonal, ₡7,592,645 in cash, and $1,815 US dollars. In addition, the police seized two pistols, 120 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, vehicles, relevant documentation for the case, and equipment used for the dosage and packaging of drugs. Authorities believe that these seizures represent a significant blow to local trafficking operations in the areas involved. During the raids, the police seized drugs, weapons, cash, and ammunition of various calibers. Courtesy: Ministry of Public Security. The Anti-Drug Police stated that the investigations remain open and that new legal actions related to the criminal structure are not ruled out. The "ROTONDA" case joins a series of operations carried out by Costa Rican authorities in recent months in various parts of the country, amid an increase in violence associated with drug trafficking and territorial disputes between criminal groups. Authorities have insisted that strengthening intelligence investigations and simultaneous raids are part of the strategy to weaken networks dedicated to local drug trafficking, especially those that operate in vulnerable communities and near educational centers.