Costa Rica authorities seize 12.7 tons of smuggled papaya

Costa Rican authorities have seized and ordered the destruction of 12,700 kilograms of smuggled papaya near the country’s southern border. The operation involved three massive shipments intercepted through a collaborative effort between the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), and the Border Police.

Officials stated that the destruction of the 12.7 metric tons of fruit is necessary to comply with national biosecurity protocols. These measures aim to prevent the introduction of agricultural pests and diseases that could impact the domestic farming sector. Legal experts noted that such smuggling undermines fiscal stability by evading customs tariffs and poses significant risks to the nation’s biodiversity and public health.