Alejandro Arias Monge, known as 'El Diablo', shot eight police officers during his arrest in Costa Rica's Sarapiquí region, with two officers still in critical condition. The 41-year-old cartel boss, wanted for nearly a decade, fired on police as they moved in, leading to a one-hour gunfight that left one of his associates dead and two others arrested.
Violent Criminal Empire
Arias is linked to at least 360 murders, many involving extreme violence such as decapitation and burning victims alive. He controlled drug trafficking routes across Central America and was considered Costa Rica's most wanted fugitive. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had offered a $500,000 bounty for his capture, describing him as leading a 'violent transnational criminal organization'.
Arrest and Aftermath
During the raid, authorities found large sums of money, firearms, and a poster of Pablo Escobar with the slogan 'silver or lead'. Costa Rican President Laura Fernández said, 'The challenge will be ensuring he doesn't escape or continue directing criminal activities from prison.' The U.S. embassy in Costa Rica congratulated the officers, stating, 'We recognise their courage and the skill with which they carried out this important arrest.'
Ongoing Threat
Despite the capture, President Fernández warned that the country must work hard to prevent Arias from escaping or running his empire from behind bars. The operation involved multiple agencies and resulted in the seizure of evidence linking Arias to hundreds of homicides and large-scale narcotics trafficking.
