# Organized crime and drug trafficking in Latin America

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/organized-crime-and-drug-trafficking-in-latin-america
> Updated: 2026-09-09T22:41:07.000Z. Sources: 48. Developments: 2.

Authorities in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Ecuador are addressing various facets of organized crime and drug trafficking.

In Costa Rica, concerns have been raised regarding the recruitment of minors by drug trafficking organizations to act as hitmen. Recent operations supported by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) resulted in the arrest of five individuals allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. These raids, conducted across Sabana Sur, Alajuela, and Esparza, involved three Costa Ricans, one Mexican, and one Peruvian. Authorities seized three kilograms of cocaine, methamphetamine, weapons, cash, and jewelry.

In a separate Costa Rican operation, the National Intelligence and Security Directorate (DIS) captured a Panamanian national believed to be linked to the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua. This individual had been sought for six years and was subsequently handed over to Panamanian authorities. Additionally, the Drug Control Police (PCD) and Public Force seized 312 kilograms of cocaine in Mariposa, near the southern border with Panama.

In the Dominican Republic, intelligence reports indicate that Haitian youth gangs are forming in the La Altagracia province near tourist hubs like Punta Cana, with efforts to acquire firearms. 

In Colombia, operations against the Clan del Golfo resulted in the seizure of $12 million in assets and the arrest of ten individuals for cocaine trafficking and money laundering. Military actions also destroyed cocaine paste laboratories in Antioquia. In Ecuador, an American citizen was detained in Cuenca following the discovery of a marijuana cultivation site.

## Claims

- Costa Rican authorities, with DEA support, detained five suspects allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The five detainees include three Costa Ricans, one Mexican, and one Peruvian. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Police in Costa Rica seized 3 kilograms of cocaine and weapons during the Sinaloa Cartel-related operations. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Authorities in Costa Rica also detained a Panamanian national suspected of links to the Tren de Aragua criminal group. (single source)
- A Panamanian national sought for six years was handed over to authorities in his home country. (single source)
- A separate operation in Costa Rica resulted in the seizure of 312 kilograms of cocaine near the Panamanian border. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Costa Rica authorities dismantle Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua links

Costa Rican authorities, with DEA support, detained five suspects linked to the Sinaloa Cartel and seized 3kg of cocaine. A separate operation near Panama yielded 312kg of cocaine and captured a Tren de Aragua-

46 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/american-citizen-detained-in-ecuador-for-large-scale-drug-trafficking

### 2026-08-27: Criminal gangs increasingly recruit minors in Costa Rica and Dominican Republic

Criminal organizations in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic are increasingly utilizing minors and youth gangs for violent activities, threatening regional security and local economies.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/criminal-gangs-increasingly-recruit-minors-in-costa-rica-and-dominican-republic

---
Cite as: Organized crime and drug trafficking in Latin America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/organized-crime-and-drug-trafficking-in-latin-america