Q COSTA RICA — The Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) — Costa Rica’S Judicial Investigation Agency — confirmed the arrest of Alejandro Arias Monge, known as “Diablo,” during an operation carried out this Friday morning, July 24.
The capture, led by the Oficina Contra el Crimen Organizado (OECDO) — Office Against Organized Crime — was the culmination of several years of investigations and involved the participation of OIJ tactical units.
In the operation, five OIJ agents were injured, one critically, reflecting the high level of risk associated with the arrest of El Diablo, considered one of the most dangerous criminals in Costa Rica, wanted for multiple violent crimes, and with an unprecedented criminal record.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)had offered a US$500,000 reward for information leading to his capture or prosecution, in coordination with the Costa Rica’s Attorney General’s Office and the OIJ.
The interim director of the OIJ, Michael Soto, confirmed the arrest of Alejandro Arias Monge during a police operation in the San Bernardino de Sarapiquí area, close to the Costa Rica – Nicaragua border.
The operation, coordinated with the Ministerio Público and the Judiciary, also resulted in the capture of two individuals identified as “Tang,” from the Batán area, and “Coco Guásimo,” whose last name is Ríos Oconitrillo. The latter died after an exchange of gunfire with the officers.
According to Soto himself, the operation began at 5:00 a.m. and lasted approximately one hour. Tactical units from the OIJ, supported by the Surveillance Unit and the Organized Crime Office, entered the target area, where a high-intensity armed confrontation took place.
“It was a fairly complex operation, at five in the morning, when our SERT (tactical group), along with the support of the Surveillance and Monitoring Unit and the Organized Crime Office, entered this sector and a rather strong exchange of gunfire took place,” Soto explained.
According to official reports, four of the OIJ agents shot in the gunfight are in stable condition; the fifth was transferred to a hospital in San José.
Seized in the operation were at least five high-caliber assault rifles at the scene, including an FAL and an AK-47, as well as three pistols and drone surveillance technology. According to the OIJ, the drones were being used to monitor the surrounding area and hinder police operations.
Soto explained that the importance of this operation lies in the profile of those captured.
“Alias Tang has been responsible for a large number of homicides,” Soto stated. Regarding Arias Monge, he emphasized that “he is an individual who has caused a great deal of violence in the country.”
Soto noted that the operation demonstrates the institution’s and the Judiciary’s commitment to national security, despite recent budget cuts by the Laura Fernández administration. “This undoubtedly demonstrates that the Judiciary is committed to the country’s security, achieving such a significant result,” Soto asserted.
Soto said that more details about the results and implications of this police action will be released in the coming hours.
The profile of Arias Mong is characterized by the extreme use of violence, rapid territorial expansion, and a remarkable ability to evade authorities. According to official reports and judicial sources, he is attributed with up to 100 murders, in addition to direct threats against police, including audio recordings in which he offered rewards for the murder of agents.
Arias Monge had at least five criminal cases against him and had been a fugitive since 2016, the year he was declared a rebel for failing to appear in court for homicide. The OIJ notes that, unlike other local organizations that maintain a low profile in international drug trafficking, “Diablo” developed a decentralized network that combines street-level drug dealing with violent alliances.
His proximity to Nicaragua allowed him to move freely through rural and urban areas, making him difficult to locate and capture.
The arrest of alias “Diablo” represents a significant blow against organized crime in Costa Rica and demonstrates the international cooperation between the Costa Rican justice system, the U.S. DOJ, and the DEA in combating drug trafficking and associated violence.