Costa Rica captures most wanted fugitive also sought by US, authorities say
Authorities said the arrest ended a nearly decade-long search and followed a raid that left five tactical officers wounded and one suspect dead.
- On Friday, Costa Rican authorities detained Alejandro Arias Monge, the fugitive known as "Diablo," in Sarapiquí, ending a nearly decade-long manhunt that drew a $500,000 reward from the United States government.
- Since walking out of prison on October 28, 2016, Arias Monge had been a fugitive, with authorities attributing as many as 100 killings to him, though none of these allegations have been tested at trial.
- Agents from the Judicial Police encountered gunfire while raiding a farm in San Bernardino, Heredia, shortly after 5 a.m., leaving five tactical officers wounded and investigators seizing high-caliber rifles, including AK-47s.
- Authorities detained senior figures Jonathan Pérez Méndez, known as "Tan," and Jorge David Núñez Aguilar, alias "Coco Pastilla," in the same operation, while a fourth suspect, Rios Oconitrillo, alias "Coco Guácimo," died during the exchange.
- Michael Soto, the OIJ's interim director general, argued that the government's proposed 3.053 billion reduction to the Judicial Branch's 2026 budget would constrain operational capacity following the high-stakes capture.
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38 Articles
One of the most wanted drug traffickers in Costa Rica was captured after a law enforcement operation. Alejandro Arias Monge, known as "El Diablo", along with two other criminal leaders were on the list of the most wanted people in the country.
Most-Wanted ‘Diablo’ Taken After Hour-Long Shootout
Costa Rica’s most-wanted fugitive, a suspected cartel leader nicknamed “Diablo,” is now in handcuffs after a bloody hour-long gun battle with police at dawn. Quick Take Alejandro Arias-Monge, 41, was captured Friday at a farm in Sarapiquí after nearly a decade on the run. Costa Rican officials say agents were met with gunfire, and reports...
Al Arabiya
Costa Rica arrests most wanted drug trafficker 'El Diablo'
On Friday, Costa Rican police arrested the most wanted drug dealer in the country, Alejandro Arias Monge (alias "El Diablo"), in a soldier operation with one dead and eight wounded, the authorities, quoted by AFP, announced.
The search for El Diablo has been going on for about ten years.
On Friday, Costa Rican police arrested the most wanted drug dealer in the country, Alejandro Arias Monge (alias "El Diablo"), in a soldier operation with one dead and eight wounded, the authorities, quoted by AFP, announced.
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