Costa Rican authorities intercepted a vehicle on the Pacific coast this week, uncovering an unlikely combination of contraband: five capybaras alongside quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana. The capybaras — semi-aquatic rodents native to South America — are not indigenous to Costa Rica, making their possession and transportation illegal. According to the Public Security Ministry, this is the first known seizure of capybaras in the country. Two men with criminal records were taken into custody following the pursuit.
Security Minister Mario Zamora noted the operation reflected the troubling overlap between drug trafficking and the illegal movement of non-native wildlife. The confiscated capybaras were handed over to the National System of Conservation Areas, where they will undergo veterinary assessment. As the species cannot be released into Costa Rica’s ecosystems, the animals will be relocated to a refuge for conservation and educational purposes.
Meanwhile, in Peru, police earlier this year executed an unconventional sting, arresting a suspected drug dealer using a capybara costume as a disguise. On the eve of Valentine’s Day, an officer dressed as a giant stuffed capybara — flanked by two policewomen bearing gifts — approached the suspect’s home. The ruse successfully enticed the man outside, where he was promptly detained.
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The operation, orchestrated by Peru’s ‘Green Squadron’ unit, led to the discovery of substantial quantities of cocaine and cannabis in the suspect’s home. Colonel Pedro Rojas, head of the division, confirmed that this was not the first time officers had employed disguises in anti-narcotics work. While such tactics may appear whimsical, authorities stress their effectiveness in confronting serious criminal activity.
