By Wendy Anders

Police carried out a multi-town operative Saturday night in Guanacaste Province’s counties of Santa Cruz and Carrillo to “recuperate public spaces and return them to the community,” stated Costa Rica’s Public Security Ministry in a press document Sunday.

Officials were aided in their efforts in the towns of Belén, Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa and Santa Cruz by the police’s air surveillance unit, the border police as well as local government officials.

Hundreds of people were detained and questioned, as well as a dozen vehicles, leading to small quantities of illegal drugs to be seized.

Four of the seven bars inspected by police were found to be operating illegally and were closed. Illegal activities included illegal drug sales, illegal hours, and/or irregularities with liquor licenses.

Police inspected parks, neighborhoods, bus stops and other areas with the goal of reducing thefts, reducing illegal drug sales, and to ensure businesses are operating legally.

The Public Security Ministry stated police will continue to carry out such patrols, and plans to extend the operatives to other communities as well.