During the morning of this Friday, July 24, the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) of Costa Rica confirmed the arrest of Alejandro Arias Mongebetter known as “The devil”who was wanted for multiple violent crimes; Therefore, according to Costa Rican authorities, his criminal record is unprecedented in that country.
The operation and capture, led by the Office against Organized Crime of Costa Rica (OECD), were allegedly carried out after two years of investigation. Therefore, tactical units of the Judicial Investigation Agency participated in the procedure and five agents were found injuredreflecting the high level of risk.
According to what was published by CRTodaya Costa Rican digital newspaper, Alejandro Arias Monge was considered one of the most dangerous criminals in the country. Additionally, the United States Department of Justice offered a reward of US$500 thousand (Q3 million 813 thousand) for information that would facilitate his capture and prosecution.
Faced with this scenario, the director of the OIJ, Michael Sotoconfirmed the arrest of “El Diablo”, during a police operation in San Bernardino de Sarapiquí, in which two men were also captured: one identified as “Tang“, from the sector of Fullerand another of surnames Oconitrillo Riverswho died after an exchange of shots.
The Devil’s criminal profile
In accordance with The Observera native digital media outlet from Costa Rica, Alejandro Arias Monge was distinguished by violence with which he acted, his territorial expansion and his ability to hidecharacteristics that made it a target particularly difficult for local and international authorities.
This is because, while other local organizations focus on international shipping with low profileAlejandro Arias managed to build a decentralized network that combines the drug dealing with violent alliances. Furthermore, its proximity to Nicaragua It allowed him to move around rural areas and evade the authorities of both countries.
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Alejandro Arias Monge is credited with more than 100 deaths and a history of threats against local and international authorities. These include audios in which he offered rewards for murdering police from Costa Rica and Nicaragua, allegedly inspired by Pablo Escobar, drug trafficker, criminal, terrorist and politician Colombian.
Fugitive since January 2016 and declared in absentia after being absent from a murder trial, Alejandro Arias Monge has accumulated at least five criminal cases, judicial procedures that begin when a person is suspected of having committed a crime. crime contemplated in the Penal Code from Costa Rica or Central America.
Operation against El Diablo
According to the director of the Judicial Investigation Agency, Michael Soto, the operation began at 5 hours of this July 24, lasted for more than an hour and before the confrontation armedthe tactical units of the OIJ received support from the Surveillance Unit and the Office against Organized Crime of Costa Rica.
“It was quite an operation. complexat five in the morning, when our tactical group, together with the support of the Surveillance Unit and the Organized Crime Office, enter this sector and an exchange of shots takes place very strong“concluded the official, who assured that the injured agents were hospitalized.
🔴 #TrivisionNews | The arrest of the year!
This Friday, judicial authorities managed to arrest the most wanted man in Costa Rica, for whom the United States offered a million-dollar reward.
The “Devil” fell.Statements, Michael Soto, Ai Director of the OIJ Carlo… pic.twitter.com/4qqCPwOjsN
— Trivision News (@trivision_cr) July 24, 2026