

Currently released so far... 12900 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AE
ASEC
AS
AR
AMGT
AFIN
AORC
AU
AG
AF
APER
ABLD
ADCO
ABUD
AM
AID
AJ
AEMR
AMED
AL
ASUP
AN
AIT
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AA
AGMT
AINF
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AY
AADP
ARF
ACS
AGR
AMCHAMS
AECL
AUC
APEC
APECO
AFGHANISTAN
ACAO
ASEAN
ADM
AGAO
AND
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
AROC
APCS
AORG
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AZ
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
BR
BO
BA
BM
BL
BH
BK
BEXP
BILAT
BTIO
BF
BU
BD
BY
BE
BG
BB
BBSR
BT
BRUSSELS
BP
BX
BC
BIDEN
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CA
CS
CO
CD
CR
CPAS
CDG
CI
CDC
CBW
CU
CVIS
CE
CONS
CH
CMGT
CASC
CY
CW
CG
CJAN
CIDA
CODEL
CWC
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CFED
CLINTON
CAC
CL
CACS
CIC
CHR
CAPC
CM
CT
CTR
COM
CROS
CN
COPUOS
CV
CF
CARSON
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
CYPRUS
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EFIN
ECON
ETRD
EAID
EC
EU
EUN
EINV
EG
ETTC
EIND
ELAB
EAGR
ECIN
EINT
ENRG
EFIS
ELTN
EAIR
EPET
EZ
ET
ENERG
ECPS
EWWT
EI
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ER
ES
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ECINECONCS
ELN
EFTA
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
ENIV
ESA
EPA
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUR
ECUN
EXIM
EK
EUREM
ECONOMY
EUMEM
ERNG
EFINECONCS
EAIDS
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
IQ
IR
IS
IN
IA
IC
IZ
ICRC
ID
IDA
IT
IO
IAEA
ICJ
ICAO
IV
IBRD
IMF
IAHRC
IWC
ILO
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
ICTY
INRB
ITALY
IBET
IL
INTELSAT
ISRAELI
IMO
IDP
ICTR
ITRA
IRC
IRAQI
IEFIN
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
ISRAEL
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
IACI
INDO
KPAO
KMDR
KCOR
KNNP
KJUS
KCRM
KDEM
KVPR
KTFN
KPRP
KTIP
KSCA
KSUM
KTEX
KIDE
KIRF
KV
KTIA
KN
KG
KFRD
KWMN
KUNR
KISL
KU
KGHG
KPKO
KOMS
KPAL
KIPR
KMCA
KOMC
KRVC
KSEP
KAWC
KOLY
KWBG
KACT
KFLO
KHIV
KZ
KGIC
KBCT
KDRG
KBTR
KCFE
KE
KHLS
KMPI
KAWK
KPWR
KIRC
KRAD
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLU
KPLS
KRIM
KSTH
KDDG
KPRV
KICC
KS
KSAF
KBIO
KREC
KCGC
KCIP
KTDB
KWAC
KPAI
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KSTC
KMFO
KID
KNAR
KMIG
KVRP
KNEI
KGIT
KNSD
KHDP
KSAC
KWMM
KR
KCOM
KAID
KENV
KVIR
KHSA
KO
KCRS
KPOA
KTER
KFIN
KSPR
KTBT
KX
KCMR
KMOC
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KOCI
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KPIR
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
MARR
MOPS
MUCN
MCAP
MNUC
MEPP
MTCRE
MASS
MO
MIL
MX
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTCR
MK
MG
MA
MY
MU
ML
MPS
MW
MD
MARAD
MC
MR
MT
MTRE
MASC
MRCRE
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MASSMNUC
NI
NZ
NL
NO
NPT
NATO
NS
NU
NP
NPA
NSFO
NDP
NT
NW
NASA
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NG
NATIONAL
NSSP
NV
NSF
NK
NA
NEW
NPG
NR
NGO
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NSC
OIIP
OPRC
OTRA
OEXC
OREP
OSCE
OVIP
OPAD
OBSP
OECD
OFFICIALS
OAS
OPDC
ODIP
OPCW
OES
OFDP
OPIC
OCS
OIC
OHUM
OSCI
OVP
ODC
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PINR
PGOV
PARM
PE
PTER
PHUM
PO
PINS
PREF
PK
PM
POL
PBTS
PNAT
PHSA
PAS
PA
PL
PGIV
PHUMPREL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PROP
PP
PINL
PBT
PTBS
PG
PINF
PRL
PALESTINIAN
PSEPC
POSTS
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PGOC
PNR
PREFA
PMIL
POLITICS
POLICY
PROV
PBIO
PREO
PAO
PDOV
PGOF
POV
PCI
PRAM
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PJUS
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
RU
RS
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
RO
RW
RCMP
RSO
RP
RM
ROOD
RFE
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RF
RELATIONS
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
SENV
SY
SNAR
SCUL
SP
SF
SW
SOCI
SU
SMIG
SO
SA
SR
SZ
SI
SC
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SK
SH
SNARCS
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SG
SL
SYRIA
SIPRS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SWE
SYR
SEN
SCRS
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SENVKGHG
SANC
SHI
SHUM
TU
TSPA
TBIO
TS
TRGY
TINT
TPHY
TN
TW
TH
TZ
TSPL
TP
TBID
TI
TF
TD
TT
TNGD
TL
TC
THPY
TIP
TX
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
TR
UK
UNSC
UNGA
UNESCO
UNHRC
UP
UN
USTR
US
UNDC
UY
UNICEF
UNDP
UNMIK
UNAUS
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
UG
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
UNEP
USEU
UZ
UNCND
USUN
UNCHR
USNC
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 05SANJOSE2809, COSTA RICA INCSR REPORT 2005 - 2006 PART I, DRUGS
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05SANJOSE2809.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 SAN JOSE 002809
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INL AND WHA/CEN
JUSTICE FOR OIA, AFMLS, NDDS
TREASURY FOR FINCEN
DEA FOR OILS AND OFFICE OF DIVERSION CONTROL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA INCSR REPORT 2005 - 2006 PART I, DRUGS
AND CHEMICAL CONTROL
REF: STATE 209560
¶1. (U) The text of Costa Rica's 2005-2006 INCSR Part I is
below.
Costa Rica
¶I. Summary
Costa Rica is becoming a major transshipment point for
narcotics to the United States and Europe. Costa Rican
officials demonstrate professionalism and reliability as
partners in combating ever-changing drug smuggling
methods. Costa Rican authorities seized a record 6,749
kilos of cocaine and 49.38 kilos of heroin in 2005.
Local consumption of illicit narcotics, particularly crack
cocaine, along with the violent crimes associated with drug
use, is a growing concern. The Government of Costa Rica
(GOCR) continued to implement a 2002 narcotics control law
that criminalized money laundering. Joint implementation
of the 1998 bilateral Maritime Counterdrug Cooperation
Agreement continues to improve the overall maritime
security of Costa Rica. The Counternarcotics Institute,
created in 2003, enhanced its coordination efforts in the
areas of intelligence, demand reduction, asset seizure, and
precursor chemical licensing. Costa Rica is a party to the
1988 UN Drug Convention.
II. Status of Country
Costa Rica's location astride the Central American isthmus,
its territorial seas (which are 10 times larger than its
total land mass and cover primary maritime smuggling
routes) and its distance from Colombia make it an ideal
transshipment area for South American cocaine and heroin
destined primarily for the United States. Costa Rican
waters are highly vulnerable to the transshipment of
illegal drugs in small go-fast boats refueled by larger
boats posing as fishing vessels.
Costa Rica has a stringent governmental licensing process
for the importation and distribution of controlled
precursor chemicals. The GOCR cooperates against with the
USG in combating narcotics trafficking, but budgetary
limitations constrain the capabilities of its law
enforcement agencies.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 2005
Policy Initiatives.
The 1998 bilateral Maritime Counterdrug Cooperation
Agreement and the Coast Guard Professionalization Law
passed in 2000 provide impetus for the professional
development of the Costa Rican Coast Guard and improving
maritime security. The Costa Rican Coast Guard Academy,
established in 2002, has thus far graduated 150 Officials
(28 in 2005). Costa Rica is the depository for the
multilateral "Agreement Concerning Cooperation in
Suppressing Illicit Maritime and Aeronautical Trafficking
in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in the
Caribbean Area" signed in 2003 in San Jose. The Costa
Rican Counternarcotics Institute develops an annual
counternarcotics plan; however, resource limitations
frustrate full implementation of the plan.
Accomplishments.
Close relations between U.S. law enforcement agencies and
GOCR Counterparts led to regular information-sharing and
joint operations. As a result, Costa Rican authorities
seized a record amount of illicit narcotics in 2005 (see
below) and maintained compliance with its obligations under
the 1988 UN drug convention. On regional cooperation, the
Mobile Enforcement Team (MET)-an interagency team
consisting of canine units, drug control police, customs
police and specialized vehicles inaugurated in
2004-coordinated 8 cross-border operations with authorities
in Nicaragua and Panama in 2005. The MET carried out most
of these operations without U.S. prompting.
Law Enforcement Efforts.
The primary counternarcotics agencies in Costa Rica are the
Judicial Investigative Police (OIJ) in the judicial branch,
and the Ministry of Public Security's Drug Control Police
(PCD) of the executive branch. Other authorities include
the Costa Rican Coast Guard, the Air Surveillance Section,
and the 10,000-member police force.
The OIJ operates a small, but highly professional,
Narcotics Section that specializes in investigating
international narcotics trafficking. The PCD investigates
both domestic and international drug smuggling, and
coordinates most interdiction operations. Both entities
routinely conduct complex investigations of drug
trafficking organizations, resulting in arrests and the
confiscation of cocaine and other drugs.
As mentioned above, Costa Rican authorities seized a record
6,749 kilos of cocaine in 2005 while increasing seizures of
crack by 30 percent and nearly doubling the eradication of
marijuana to over one million plants. Costa Rican drug
police seized 881 kilos of processed marijuana and 49.38
kilos of heroin in 2005. In addition, Costa Rican
authorities confiscated almost $800,000 in currency, 51
vehicles and 41 firearms in 2005. Drug-related arrests
increased dramatically to 6,251 from 1,024 in 2004.
Corruption.
Costa Rica signed the Inter-American Convention Against
Corruption in March 1996 and ratified it in May 1997.
Unprecedented corruption scandals, involving apparent
kickbacks to officials at the highest levels of the two
previous administrations, were exposed in 2004 and tested
Costa Rica's legal system throughout 2005. Although the
cases have not yet gone to trial, Costa Rica's commitment
to combat public corruption appears to have been
strengthened by these challenges.
The GOCR aggressively investigates allegations of official
corruption or abuse. During 2005, at least six public
security officers and 4 OIJ investigators were arrested on
suspicion of involvement with narcotics traffickers.
In addition, a judge and a prosecutor were fired along with
23 other judicial branch employees for non-drug related
offenses. U.S. law enforcement agencies consider the
public security forces and judicial officials to be full
partners in counternarcotics investigations and operations.
To the best of these U.S. agencies' knowledge, no senior
official of the GOCR engages in, encourages, or facilitates
the illicit production or distribution of such drugs, or
the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions.
Agreements and Treaties.
The 1998 Maritime Counterdrug Cooperation
Agreement continues to serve as the model maritime
agreement for Central America and the Caribbean.
The United States-Costa Rican extradition treaty, in force
since 1991, has been actively used. Costa Rica ratified
the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption and signed
the UN Convention Against Corruption. Costa Rica ratified
a bilateral stolen vehicles treaty in 2002. Costa Rica is
a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1961 Single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended by its 1972
Protocol, and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic
Substances.
Costa Rica and the United States are also parties to
bilateral drug information and intelligence sharing
agreements dating from 1975 and 1976. Costa Rica is a
member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and the
Egmont Group. It is a member of the Inter-American
Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of
American States (OAS/CICAD). Costa Rica signed the UN
Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in
Persons, the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants,
and the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and
Trafficking in Firearms.
Cultivation/Production.
Marijuana cultivation is extensive but low quality and
confined to remote areas. Costa Rican authorities
conducted eradication operations independent of USG
assistance in 2005. Costa Rica does not produce other
illicit drug crops or synthetic drugs.
Drug Flow/Transit.
The year 2005 witnessed a continuation of the trend toward
frequent, smaller (50-500 kilos) shipments transiting Costa
Rica in truck compartments and passenger car compartments.
Seizures of such shipments increased in southern Costa
Rica.
The trend toward increased trafficking of narcotics by
maritime routes has also continued with 11 incidents and a
total of 3,620 kilos of cocaine seized at sea in 2005.
Traffickers used Costa Rican-flagged fishing boats to
smuggle drugs and to provide fuel for other go-fast boats.
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction).
Costa Ricans have become increasingly concerned over local
consumption, especially of crack cocaine.
The Prevention Unit of the Costa Rican Counternarcotics
Institute oversees drug prevention efforts and educational
programs throughout the country. In 2005, the Institute
continued demand-reduction campaigns with posters in
schools, universities, and pharmacies.
The Institute and the Ministry of Education distribute
demand-reduction materials to all school children.
The MET team often visits local schools in the wake of a
deployment. The team's canines and specialized vehicles
make effective emissaries for demand-reduction messages.
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
U.S. Policy Initiatives.
Specific initiatives include: continuing to implement the
bilateral Maritime Counterdrug Cooperation Agreement;
enhancing the ability of the Air Section of the Public
Security Ministry to respond to illicit drug activities by
providing equipment and technical training; improving law
enforcement capacity by providing training and equipment to
the OIJ Narcotics Section, the PCD, the Intelligence Unit
of the Costa Rica Counternarcotics Institute, the National
Police Academy, and the Customs Control Police; and
increasing public awareness by providing assistance to
Costa Rican demand-reduction programs.
Bilateral Cooperation.
Under the terms of the bilateral Maritime Agreement, the
U.S. has invested $2.3 million to enhance mutual maritime
security through the development of a professional Costa
Rican Coast Guard.
In 2005, the U.S. provided training, computer equipment,
software and other equipment to the Ministry of Public
Security, the Judicial Branch, the Costa Rican
Counternarcotics Institute's Financial Intelligence Unit,
and the inter-agency MET unit. Total U.S. investment in
Costa Rican law enforcement agencies was $414,000.00 for
2005, and resulted in the seizure of over 6.7 metric tons
of cocaine.
The Road Ahead.
The U.S. will continue to provide technical expertise,
training, and funding to professionalize Costa Rica's Coast
Guard and enhance its capabilities to conduct maritime law
enforcement operations in support of the bilateral Maritime
Counterdrug Cooperation Agreement.
The U.S. seeks to build upon the on-going successful
maritime experience by turning more attention and resources
to land interdiction strategies, including expanded
coverage of airports, seaports and border checkpoints. The
U.S. will continue to cooperate closely with the GOCR in
its efforts to professionalize its public security forces
and implement and expand controls against money laundering.
LANGDALE