Alejandro Arias-Monge captured in Costa Rica after fugitive hunt
Costa Rican officials said Alejandro Arias-Monge, known as “Diablo,” was arrested in a clash that injured six federal agents.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Alejandro Arias-Monge captured headlines in Costa Rica after authorities said they arrested the country’s most-wanted fugitive, a 41-year-old known as “Diablo” who was also wanted by the United States on alleged drug-trafficking claims.
Costa Rican officials said Arias-Monge was taken into custody Friday after an hourlong confrontation that left six federal agents injured. One of those agents remained in serious condition, officials said.
Authorities said two other people were arrested during the operation. Weapons were seized at the scene, including high-powered firearms, according to Costa Rican officials.
Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Organization praised the operation in a social media post, saying it showed the “intense work” being carried out by the Judicial Power to fight crime in the country.
Why was Diablo wanted by the United States?
The U.S. State Department last year offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to Arias-Monge, identifying him as an alleged drug trafficker and the leader of what it called a violent transnational criminal organization.
According to the State Department, Arias-Monge’s alleged organization was accused of moving drugs toward the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration said the group operated across all seven provinces of Costa Rica.
The DEA said the organization allegedly trafficked narcotics from Colombia through Honduras and Guatemala to Mexico, with the United States described as the final destination.
Arias-Monge also had several Costa Rican warrants pending for his arrest, authorities said.
What did investigators allege about his group?
The DEA accused Arias-Monge and members of his syndicate of using social media to spread violent images and videos of murders as a way to intimidate people in Costa Rica.
Local media outlet CRHoy reported that Arias-Monge had been a fugitive since 2016. The outlet also reported that he is believed to be responsible for as many as 100 deaths.
Those claims have not been tested in a U.S. courtroom in the details made public by authorities. Officials did not report any public comment from Arias-Monge in connection with the arrest.
What happens next?
Authorities have not publicly detailed the next legal steps for Arias-Monge, including whether the United States will seek his extradition. The State Department’s reward notice and DEA allegations show U.S. officials had been tracking him as part of a cross-border narcotics case.
For Costa Rica, the arrest marks the capture of a fugitive its officials described as the country’s most wanted. The operation also underscored the risks for law enforcement, with six federal agents hurt during the struggle and one left in serious condition, according to officials.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS News.