27 arrested in migrant smuggling bust

A total of 27 people (20 in Costa Rica and 7 in Panama) have been apprehended for migrant smuggling. by the First Prosecutor against Organized Crime and Costa Rican authorities in a cross-border operation “Matrioska.”

During the development of the operation, at least eight cell phones, a vehicle, four passports of citizens of Nepal, and more than $1,000. in cash were seized.

The captured citizens will be brought before a guarantee judge.

Operation Matrioska arises after eight months of investigation against the criminal organization that operates in Panama and Costa Rica through human trafficking, especially Haitian, Indian, Ecuadorian, and Venezuelan nationals.