Friday 29 June 2007 - San José, Costa Rica

Security Vice Minister Vows To Clean Up The Country of Undesirables A sweep of downtown San José by immigration officials on Wednesday netted 44 undocumented foreigners in various places like the Plaza de la Cultura and Calle de la Amargura in San Pedro. The majority of the illegals were Nicaraguan, Dominican and Colombian nationals, who are in the country illegally. In the midst of the Latin American group, were two Jamaican nationals were also found to be carrying 9mm weapons for which they did not have permits. The vice-minister of Seguridad Pública, Rafael Gutiérrez, said the raids were part of an operative following information by judicial investigators of foreigners being involved in street muggings, especially in the downtown core. Areas visited by immigration officials included the La Galeria shopping centre on Avenida Central, a location known to be frequented by many foreigners, as well as stop check of documents along the pedestrian boulevard and bars and restaurants where foreigners congregate. "We are going to clean up the country of undesirables...", said vice-minister Gutiérrez. The detained were being held by the Policía Judicial (Judicial police) to verify their identity and if wanted for any crimes in Costa Rica. Once that process is completed, deportation is the next step in the process.