A drug-trafficking gang in San José seeks to expand operations to the provinces of Cartago and Alajuela, so violence would increase in these sectors to disputes over drug territory.
For example, in recent weeks, the cantons of Cartago and La Unión have registered different killings that would be linked to the expansion of these groups identified by judicial authorities.
They are growing their tentacles and there is a gang in San José that is expanding to Grecia, Alajuela and Cartago,”
said Edwin Obando, head of the Cartago Judicial Investigation Agency.
The official explained that drug disputes are what worries the authorities the most because “one group is taken down and another one arises”. This happens practically throughout the country.
In addition, statistics from the judicial police indicate that almost 25% of homicides correspond to drug trafficking.
The country is close to 500 homicides. Obando was clear in pointing out that this group of the capital is already taking the Old Metropolis and other parts of the Central Valley, thus they are expecting an increase in homicides.
Obando told the press that confiscation of heavy weapons also increased in Cartago, so it seems that the gangs already established in this province are arming themselves before probable battles.