Migrant Trafficking Network Dismantled in Chiriquí

A total of seven people, allegedly linked to the crime of migrant trafficking, as part of the “Matsu” operation carried out in the province of Chiriquí, were arrested this week, the Public Prosecutor’s Office reported. 

Prosecutor Emeldo Márquez explained that this investigation began in May 2023, and it was possible to determine that it was an organized criminal group, which was dedicated to mobilizing migrants of mostly Chinese nationality, who arrived in the province of Chiriquí, from the capital city.   Once in this region, they were left in hotels for a few days and then moved to Paso Canoas with the objective of continuing the route through Central America, to their final destination in the United States.  To do this, they maintained contacts with people along the entire route who were in charge of following the illegal work. 

According to Márquez in this work, various investigative techniques were used, including more than 25 surveillance and monitoring procedures, which allowed the existence and operation of a group of people who transported foreign citizens to the border area and there handed them over to other citizens of Costa Rican origin to be corroborated.  These investigations also showed that selective transport vehicles were used to transport them at night.  In this operation, 12 search warrants were carried out in the districts of David, Bugaba, Alanje and Boquete.  Also, 18 cell phones, 2 computers, more than 70,000 dollars and a firearm without the corresponding permits were also recovered. 

In the coming week, the detainees are expected to be brought before a judge in order to legalize their arrest, to formulate charges for the alleged crime of illegal migrant trafficking, which carries a sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison, and to request the application of precautionary measures in accordance with the crime.