Criminal organizations are targeting Costa Rican police officers. The intention is to have them obtain information and even follow up on specific subjects.
The most delicate case was unveiled this week. Two policemen from the delegation of Mercedes in Heredia handed a Colombian man to several subjects that killed him.
A video shows how the policemen arresting a man named Quintero and taking him to San Joaquín, where some foreigners beat him and wounded him with a gun.
Pablo Calvo, head of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) confirmed that the former officers gave information related to collections and location of people. In addition, the judicial police confirmed that they had been involved in this organization led by foreigners for about two years.
Offiers Arce and Ordeñana were drug dealers and money lenders. In addition they are linked with two homicides in Heredia. They were both dismissed by the Ministry of Security.
According to Carlos Hidalgo, a spokesman for the organization, the Public Force has taken measures to shield the institution and continues with a clear message of zero tolerance to this type of crimes.
Last December, Minister Gustavo Mata fired 115 officers for mistrust. Some of the officers had a history of rape (5), sexual abuse of children (8), sexual abuse of senior citizens (7) and cases of illicit association (4).
In addition, there were officials associated with organized crime (4), homicides (8), violation of the psychotropic law (7) and kidnap and extortion (2).
Wearing the uniform implies honesty, responsibility and transparent work in favor of an excellent citizen security service. Whoever disagrees with our institutional values must respond for their actions. Zero tolerance for corruption,”
said Mata.