COSTA RICA

Tackling organized crime in Costa Rica

Costa Rica occupies a strategic position in the Americas, linking North and South America and bordered by both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. This geographic location has made the country a transit and operational hub for organized crime groups seeking to connect drug-producing regions with international markets.

As a result, Costa Rica faces several serious crime threats, including:

• Homicide, linked to inter-gang violence and disputes over drug distribution routes;
• Drug trafficking, both domestic and international, particularly involving the sale and smuggling of psychotropic substances;
• Money laundering, extortion, kidnapping, and the trafficking of firearms, persons, and counterfeit goods.

Given the transnational nature of these crimes, international police cooperation is critical. INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in San José plays a key role in Costa Rica’s response to these threats, serving as a gateway to global policing resources and operational support.

INTERPOL in Costa Rica

INTERPOL’s NCB in San José is hosted by the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), Costa Rica’s principal criminal investigation authority. The OIJ is part of the judiciary and operates as an independent body that supports the Criminal Courts and the Public Prosecutor’s Office to ensure impartiality and integrity in criminal investigations. 

The NCB supports national and international investigations through:

• The issuance of INTERPOL notices and diffusions to alert and request assistance from other member countries, particularly in relation to locating fugitives and supporting extradition efforts;
• The use of INTERPOL’s secure I-24/7 communication system to transmit investigative information and intelligence relevant to domestic cases;
• Participation in INTERPOL-led operations and cooperation with NCBs around the world, particularly on cases related to organized crime.

This operational connectivity enables Costa Rica to tackle threats that extend beyond national borders and to collaborate effectively in the global fight against crime. 

Costa Rican national law enforcement

Costa Rica’s law enforcement framework includes both judicial and administrative police bodies.

The OIJ functions under the Judicial Branch and serves as an auxiliary body to the Criminal Courts and Public Prosecutor. The OIJ leads criminal investigations and includes the Policía Judicial, which houses the INTERPOL NCB San José.

In parallel, the Ministry of Public Security oversees various national police forces, including:

• National Police (Fuerza Pública)
• Migration Police
• Border Police
• Tourist Police
• Drug Control Police (PCD)
• Fiscal Control Police (PCF)
• Traffic Police
• Penitentiary Police

Together, these bodies ensure public security, border integrity, drug control, and fiscal oversight across the country. The close collaboration between these entities and INTERPOL San José enhances Costa Rica’s capacity to respond to complex national and transnational threats.

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