Costa Rican police captured Alejandro Arias, also known by his alias "Diablo," the country's most wanted fugitive who was also sought by the US on drug-trafficking charges, the Central American country's judicial authorities said on Friday.Arias, 41, leads a violent transnational criminal organisation, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, which last year offered a US$500,000 (NZ$863,500) reward for information leading to his capture.Arias had been on the run for almost 10 years and was wanted on multiple arrest warrants in Costa Rica on charges including drug trafficking, robbery, first-degree murder and money laundering.The arrest took place in the Sarapiqui region, some 68km northeast of the capital city San Jose, following an armed confrontation between Arias' group and police that lasted nearly an hour.It resulted in the death of one member of Arias' entourage and caused injuries to eight police officers, two of whom were in critical condition, the Judicial Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecutor's Office said.Alongside Arias, authorities arrested two other gang members, including the alleged drug-trafficking leader Jonathan Perez, known as "Tan".The head of Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency said the gangs linked to those arrested on Friday were believed to be responsible for 360 homicides."It was a very precise, very professional operation that led to these arrests, which were necessary for the Costa Rican people," agency director Michael Soto said.Authorities found five high-calibre military rifles, three handguns and surveillance drones at the place of Arias' arrest.- Reuters
Costa Rica captures most wanted fugitive also sought by US, authorities say
Costa Rican police captured Alejandro Arias, also known by his alias "Diablo," the country's most wanted fugitive who was also sought by the US on drug-trafficking charges, the Central American country's judicial authorities said on Friday.










