Authorities seize more than $2 million worth of heroin in Cartago

(MSP photo)

June 22^nd, 2015 (InsideCostaRica.com) Authorities seized 15 kilos of what is being described as highly pure heroin in El Guarco, Cartago on Friday.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, the heroin apparently came from Colombia and was eventually bound for the United States.  Authorities said the heroin was of a highly pure variety, worth about $150,000 per kilo or more than $2 million in total.

Minister of Public Security, Gustavo Mata Vega, told the daily La Nacion that heroin of such purity cannot be consumed directly, and instead must be “cut” with other substances.  Mata said that one kilo of the type of heroin confiscated could produce about 15 kilos of final product.

The drugs were discovered in two car batteries in the trunk of car, after drug canines gave officers the alert.

Two men and one woman were taken into custody and issued six months of pre-trial detention.