Latest news with #PublicSecurityMinistry
Metro
24-05-2025
- Metro
Five illegal capybaras seized with crack cocaine after police chase
Two men have been arrested after trying to speed away from police with a car full of drugs and five capybaras. The chase began after the car they were driving did not slow down for a traffic stop in Costa Rica on Wednesday. Officers gave pursuit, and eventually managed to catch up and stop the vehicle, which was being driven by two men with prior criminal records. After handcuffing the men and searching the car, they found two adult capybaras in a cage, three babies, 60 doses of crack cocaine, cannabis, and weapons. Police posted photos of the animals online, saying they had been taken to a vet to check over, and seemed fine although a little skinny. Capybaras are not native to the Central American country, and have the potential to wreak havoc with the ecosystem as they can quickly breed, have few natural predators, and could spread new diseases. Everyone loves a capybara, and they have recently had a moment as social media stars, thanks to their chill demeanour and apparent aesthetic similarity to Glen Powell. But this very love could have made them a target for criminal gangs, sniffing out smuggling them as a lucrative trade. Local broadcaster Teletica said the world's largest rodent had become a 'fashion icon' in recent months, and could be seen in San José 'adorning a variety of products, from stuffed animals to backpacks'. More Trending Now they are the internet's latest obsession, people are more like to want to have one as a pet, which is where the smugglers may see an opportunity. At least, we assume that's more likely than them being used for transporting contraband themselves – unlike the 'drug smuggling cat' caught with cannabis strapped to its belly before being sent into a prison in Costa Rica last week. Capybaras are native to South America, including Brazil, where they live in rainforests and wetlands. The Public Security Ministry said in a statement: 'This is the first recorded case of illegal capybara trafficking in Costa Rica, marking a milestone in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Most expensive pet to insure revealed after claims hit record £1,200,000,000 MORE: Mad cow disease confirmed on Essex farm MORE: Couple renovating their 1850s home make a chilling discovery
Toronto Sun
23-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Costa Rica police seize 5 capybaras, crack cocaine and marijuana from fleeing vehicle
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Rican police seized five capybaras, crack cocaine and marijuana after chasing down a fleeing vehicle on a highway along the Central American country's Pacific coast on Thursday. Article content The large rodents are a semi-aquatic South American relative of the guinea pig and happen to be having a moment on social platforms. But they are not native to Costa Rica, and the Public Security Ministry said Thursday that possessing, transporting or trafficking them is illegal. The agency said it had never recorded another seizure of the animals. Two men in the vehicle, who both had criminal records, were arrested. 'The police action was important and shows the concurrence where the drug world coincides with the introduction of non-native species,' Security Minister Mario Zamora said. The capybaras were turned over to the National System of Conservation Areas to be evaluated by veterinarians. As a non-native species they can't be released in Costa Rica so they will be taken to a refuge for environmental and conservation education programs.
Bloomberg
23-05-2025
- Bloomberg
Vietnam Takes Steps to Block Telegram App Over Illegal Content
Vietnam authorities have instructed local telecoms and internet service providers to block the Telegram messaging app in the country, for allegedly failing to prevent illegal content and anti-government activities being carried out by its users. The majority of Telegram groups in Vietnam contain what the regulator called 'toxic' information, including groups accused of spreading anti-government content and crimes such as fraud, selling user data and drug trafficking, according to a statement on the government's website, citing public security ministry data.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- The Independent
Police seize five capybaras and crack cocaine after car chase
Costa Rican police seized five capybaras, crack cocaine and marijuana after chasing down a fleeing vehicle on a highway along the Central American country's Pacific coast on Thursday. The large rodents are a semi-aquatic South American relative of the guinea pig and happen to be having a moment on social platforms. But they are not native to Costa Rica, and the Public Security Ministry said Thursday that possessing, transporting or trafficking them is illegal. The agency said it had never recorded another seizure of the animals. Two men in the vehicle, who both had criminal records, were arrested. "The police action was important and shows the concurrence where the drug world coincides with the introduction of non-native species," Security Minister Mario Zamora said. The capybaras were turned over to the National System of Conservation Areas to be evaluated by veterinarians. As a non-native species they can't be released in Costa Rica so they will be taken to a refuge for environmental and conservation education programs. Earlier this year Peruvian police arrested a suspected drug dealer by disguising himself as a cuddly capybara. A day before Valentine's Day, an officer disguised himself as a stuffed capybara and descended on a street in the capital, accompanied by two policewomen carrying "gifts." In Peru, it is common for people to dress as teddy bears and other characters to deliver gifts on special dates. Police said the operation lured the suspect out of his house, where he was quickly apprehended. Col. Pedro Rojas, Chief of the 'Green Squadron' division of Peru's Police, which carried out the operation, said officers later searched the house and found a "large quantity" of cocaine as well as marijuana. This operation was not the first in which officers from the squadron disguised themselves to arrest suspected drug dealers.
23-05-2025
Costa Rica police seize 5 capybaras, crack cocaine and marijuana from fleeing vehicle
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- Costa Rican police seized five capybaras, crack cocaine and marijuana after chasing down a fleeing vehicle on a highway along the Central American country's Pacific coast on Thursday. The large rodents are a semi-aquatic South American relative of the guinea pig and happen to be having a moment on social platforms. But they are not native to Costa Rica, and the Public Security Ministry said Thursday that possessing, transporting or trafficking them is illegal. The agency said it had never recorded another seizure of the animals. Two men in the vehicle, who both had criminal records, were arrested. 'The police action was important and shows the concurrence where the drug world coincides with the introduction of non-native species,' Security Minister Mario Zamora said. The capybaras were turned over to the National System of Conservation Areas to be evaluated by veterinarians. As a non-native species they can't be released in Costa Rica so they will be taken to a refuge for environmental and conservation education programs.
