Costa Rican businesses find themselves in a precarious situation, facing extortion from notorious drug gangs like Los Lara and Diablo. According to a Costa Rican media outlet, these gangs have been siphoning millions from local businesses and vendors to fund their operations.
The Notorious Gangs: Los Lara and Diablo
Los Lara, a name that’s become somewhat familiar in the streets of San Jose, has been on the radar of authorities for years. Diablo, on the other hand, casts a wider net across the Caribbean and is led by Alejandro Arias Monge, a figure who has been eluding capture since 2018.
A Growing Menace in the Realm of Extortion
Jose Solano, head of the Miscellaneous Crimes Section Unit at the Judicial Investigation Organism (OIJ), pointed out that extortion cases are more rampant in the province of Limón than in the capital. These extortionists, in a stroke of sinister creativity, have been exploiting the digital age, using advertisements and social networks to obtain phone numbers of businesses and making audacious claims of cartel affiliations from Mexico to Venezuela.
A Modern Method of Payment for an Age-Old Crime
The gangs demand payments through Sinpe mobile or international money transfers, often using intermediaries to collect the cash. What’s more, they’re not shy about asking for a hefty cut, with demands often skyrocketing to over ten million colones. Failure to comply? Let’s just say their threats aren’t idle.
The Terrifying Statistics: A Glimpse Into the Underworld
As of November 2, the Judicial Police had a daunting tally of 686 complaints related to these extortions, encompassing ‘gota a gota’ loans and sextortion cases. Solano described a grim picture where defaulting on payments could lead to property damage, gate-bashing, and even gunfire.
The Vicious Cycle of ‘Gota a Gota’ Loans
In the murky world of ‘gota a gota’ loans, victims borrow amounts ranging from 50 thousand to two million colones, with repayments that can make loan sharks blush. The trigger point? Missing a payment. Come the weekend, if the money isn’t there, the psychological and financial extortion gears up.
Words of Wisdom: Avoiding the Debt Trap
Solano’s advice is straight out of a wise uncle’s playbook: steer clear of these informal loans. But if you find yourself in this quagmire, keep a record of everything – names, vehicle license plates, and distinguishing features of collectors. And most importantly, report it to the authorities at the first sign of trouble.
This alarming trend of extortion by drug gangs in Costa Rica highlights a growing challenge for local businesses and underscores the need for vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement. As these criminal activities continue to evolve, staying informed and cautious is more crucial than ever. It’s a stark reminder that in the world of crime, the old adage holds true: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
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