Costa Rican police officer detained for smuggling electronics into prison

Maiker Guzmán Charpantier, an officer of the Special Support Unit (UEA) of the Public Force, has been released under precautionary measures after being detained for allegedly attempting to smuggle electronic devices into the La Reforma maximum-security prison in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Authorities reported that Guzmán, who was assigned to guard high-profile inmates Alejandro Arias Monge (alias “Diablo”) and Jonathan Pérez Méndez (alias “Tan”), was intercepted after passing initial security checks. Despite initially denying he had prohibited items, officers discovered a Huawei smartwatch, a Huawei cellphone, a 20,000 mAh power bank, a SIM card, USB cables, and charging adapters in his waist bag.

Guzmán claimed he had simply forgotten the devices were in his possession. While the prosecution requested preventive detention, the Flagrancy Tribunal rejected the request, instead imposing conditions such as weekly check-ins, a fixed domicile, and a prohibition on contacting witnesses or related officials. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for November 3.