Frozen Yucca Conceals Cocaine Route

In a significant crackdown, an international operation led by Europol has dismantled a major transnational criminal network trafficking cocaine from Costa Rica to Europe. The organization ingeniously used shipments of frozen yucca powder to smuggle cocaine, taking advantage of legitimate logistics chains to camouflage their illegal activities.

The investigation revealed that the criminal network adapted its operations in response to increasing law enforcement pressure on traditional drug trafficking routes. By establishing a base in Costa Rica, the group successfully concealed cocaine within frozen yucca powder, exploiting the product’s density and color to evade detection by scanner systems and drug-sniffing dogs. This technique facilitated the repeated trafficking of cocaine from Costa Rica to Spain and Portugal.

The operation unfolded in two phases across several countries. The initial phase in the summer of 2024 saw Portuguese authorities executing controlled deliveries and arresting seven individuals. Subsequent arrests in Spain included 13 more suspects, one of whom was identified as a high-value target. The second phase, executed in Costa Rica on June 11, 2025, resulted in the arrest of 12 key members, including the organization’s leader. Overall, 5.4 tonnes of cocaine were seized, marking the successful dismantling of the network on both sides of the Atlantic.

Europol played a pivotal role in the operation, coordinating intelligence exchange and facilitating collaboration between European and Costa Rican authorities. The GDIN Project, funded by the EU, enhanced cooperation and information sharing between EU law enforcement agencies and Costa Rica, underpinning the operation’s success.