Is Costa Rica becoming a new major theater for drug traffickers?

Costa Rica, one of the world's most beautiful countries and a paradise for all manner of outdoors enthusiasts, is concerned about increased drug trafficking and its ability to effectively deal with the issue.

A story in this week's English-language Tico Times cites a series of recent incidents and arrests and suggests that drug cartels, which may be finding it more difficult to move product into the U.S. via Mexico, are seeking new arenas in which to operate.

Could it be that Mexico's war on drug trafficking is having this unfortunate side effect? Perhaps. Cocaine seizures in Costa Rica, for example, increased from 2,955 kilos in 2002 to more than 32,000 kilos in 2007.

Bruce Bagley, editor of the book "Drug Trafficking in America," and the department chair of International Studies at the University of Miami, told the Tico Times: "Drug traffickers are finding Mexico to be too dangerous, violent and risky, which has caused them to look for other routes through Central America and the Caribbean."

What will this mean for tourism in a land renowned for surfing, fishing, bird-watching and whitewater rafting? It should not be a major issue, but consider what's happened in Mexico. Many have stopped visiting that country because of a perceived danger to tourists.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: Costa Rica's Arenal volcano, situated along Lake Arenal, flares up in this 1992 handout file photo.

Comments

[costa rica estate]

I am sad about that, but it´s reality. Thanks for sherin the info =(

[james]

With personal knowledge of the subject.......I can say that the comment posted by "John" is very accurate.

[John]

The belief I've heard from much of the taxi drivers and common people of Costa Rica is that for every kilo of cocaine seized there are 20 allowed to be shipped out of the country by the very people doing the seizures and it is typically a diversion to attempt to make it look like their are gains in the war on drugs. Living near the city you wont see much of a rise in drug movements. It's only in the remote areas that it is really noticeable. The people of the Osa peninsula have seen heavy increases in their area being used as routes out of the country by high speed motor boats or home built stealth boats to make the trek to the USA. They borrow fuel from locals or buy it at inflated prices from local towns people so as to not alert authorities. The drugs are hidden in various places throughout the coast line and smaller poorer Ticos are often lured into allowing the traffickers to use there property as a temporary base for departure. The use among the local youth in the region is apparent at times and this is not how it was a few years ago. All of this information comes from observation or local chatter on the subject. It is certainly on the rise but whether it is from the Mexican issues or not is debatable.

[Jim Lindelien]

I have been living in Costa Rica five and a half years. In that time I can say that increased investment and focus in anti-drug operations and training by the Costa Rican government in part accounts for the rise in cocaine seizures stats. Don't be too quick to condemn the country's successes and label them as signs of an increasing problem. For one thing, tax revenue from tourism in part fuels the funding of those efforts.

[Glenn]

drug trafficking is everywhere now. people think it's worth the risk

[ANTONIO]

I have lived in Costa Rica for a few years and there have always been hints of drug trafficking. In fact, downtown San Jose is well known for having lots of drug dealers in some areas specially in around the public parks. Fortunately, the drug problem has not spread to the beatiful areas in outside of the capital.