Confiscated Luxury Vehicles Could Be Used as Police Patrol Cars
Can you imagine being pulled over by a Tránsito (traffic) or a Fuerza Pública (police) official in a BMW or a Toyota Prado? Though it may seem strange, that could soon be a reality as vehicles confiscated from drug traffickers and in the custody of the Instituto Costarricense sobre Drogas (ICD), could be handed over to police and other governmental agencies.

The ICD is responsible for the administration of vehicles, other property and cash confiscated from those charged with crimes related to drug trafficking, which amount to some us$4 million dollars.

The latest confiscations that came last week from a suspect named Sossa, who is being charged with transporting drugs hidden in trucks hauling scrap metal, include a Toyota Tundra and a BMW. The Toyota Padro belongs to man named Zumbado, which is Sasso's alleged partner in crime.

In total, the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), confiscated 9 vehciles, including 4 late model Toyota Hi-lux, 6 quad cycles and 21 trucks, in addition to the us$2.5 million dollars in cash that was hiiden in the floor of the tractor trailer that was returning from Guatemala after, what police say, had made a drug run from Costa Rica.

Authorities have confiscated a small fortune from drug traffickers over the history of their fight against the drug trade, beginning with the 1984 confiscation of a large property owned by Mexican Caro Quintero who was sought by U.S. authorities.

The property, located in Alajuela, is now home to some 130 families,

One of the more notable confiscations to make the headlines was the home owned by a German national in Flamingo, Guanacaste, who was wanted for drug trafficking. The home was turned over to government authorities.

The vehicles confiscated last week are currently under the custody of the ICD, pending the outcome of the case against Sossa and Zumbado. If the men are found guilty, the vehicles, property and cash will find their way to government hands.