# Costa Rican organized crime and corruption investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/costa-rican-organized-crime-and-corruption-investigation
> Updated: 2026-09-02T16:45:50.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 2.

Alejandro Arias Monge, known as ‘Diablo’, and Jonathan Pérez Méndez, known as ‘Tan’, underwent judicial hearings in San José, Costa Rica, regarding homicide charges. During these proceedings at the Specialized Jurisdiction in Organized Crime (JEDO), authorities considered transferring the case to a specialized organized crime court. Arias Monge, who is also wanted by United States authorities, was expected to meet with DEA agents.

Subsequent investigations into the criminal organization led by Arias Monge, part of a larger case known as ‘Colorado’ involving drug trafficking and money laundering, revealed widespread corruption within the Costa Rican law enforcement and judicial systems. 

A public force officer, identified as Ureña, was placed in preventive detention for one year after allegedly providing official communication radios to the group and alerting members to upcoming police operations. New details indicate Ureña is also suspected of stealing seized drugs to distribute them to Randall Delgado, known as ‘Mr. Músculo’. Recent developments confirm Ureña was found with drugs hidden under a mattress, further supporting the investigation into his role in facilitating the organization's activities.

Additionally, three officials—including two judges and one investigator—received six-month restrictions, such as travel bans and suspensions of duties, due to suspected favoritism and collusion with the criminal structure. In a recent hearing, the sister of Arias Monge was released without precautionary measures, despite prosecution requests for six months of preventive detention.

## Claims

- The officer allegedly stole drugs previously seized by police and kept them at his residence. (disputed)
- The officer allegedly stole drugs previously seized by police and delivered them to Randall Delgado for market distribution. (disputed)
- The detainee is identified as a priority target and alleged leader of a criminal cell linked to the 'Los Rusos' organization. (corroborated by 17 sources)
- Two individuals acting as bodyguards were also arrested during the operation. (corroborated by 17 sources)
- Authorities seized weapons, drugs, and luxury vehicles during the operation. (corroborated by 17 sources)
- The suspect is allegedly linked to extortion, kidnapping, homicide, and drug trafficking. (corroborated by 17 sources)
- Govén Ulisses “N”, alias “El Amarillo” or “El Gobén”, was arrested in Lomas de Angelópolis, Puebla. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- The arrest was a coordinated operation involving federal agencies and authorities from Puebla and Guerrero. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- The criminal cell's operations were primarily based in Acapulco, Guerrero. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- A public force officer, identified by the surname Ureña, allegedly provided official communication radios to the criminal organization led by Alejandro Arias Monge, alias 'Diablo'. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- One of the detainees had an outstanding arrest warrant for qualified homicide. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Govén Ulisses Chávez Ramírez arrested in Puebla

Mexican authorities arrested Govén Ulisses Chávez Ramírez, alias 'El Amarillo', a leader of the 'Los Rusos' criminal cell, in Puebla. The operation seized luxury vehicles, weapons, and drugs.

34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/costa-rican-police-officer-arrested-for-aiding-diablo-criminal-group

### 2026-08-18: Alejandro Arias Monge and Jonathan Pérez Méndez face key judicial hearings

Alejandro Arias Monge (“Diablo”) and Jonathan Pérez Méndez (“Tan”) face hearings in Costa Rica to determine if their homicide case will be handled by organized crime courts. Arias Monge may meet with the DEA.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alejandro-arias-monge-and-jonathan-prez-mndez-face-key-judicial-hearings

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Cite as: Costa Rican organized crime and corruption investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/costa-rican-organized-crime-and-corruption-investigation