Costa Rican authorities intercepted a vessel 16 nautical miles from Golfito, Puntarenas close to Golfo Dulce carrying almost half a ton of cocaine.

The National Coast Guard Service, Air Surveillance, Public Police Force, Border Control Police and the Drug Control Police took part of this operation; aboard the boat, with the name “Hish Tide” were two men, a Costa Rican of surname García and a Colombian of last name Estancio.

In total, Drug Control Police counted 497 packages of 1kg of cocaine each. “This is part of the joint work with authorities of the United States and other countries to battle drug trafficking and the use of our territory, in this case our waters for drug trafficking”, commented Michael Soto, Minister of Public Security.

The two suspects will remain in preventive custody for six months awaiting trial.