By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) assisted in the capture of three Costa Rican men surnamed Segura-Angulo, Núñez-Jiménez and Garro-Núñez, in Chiriquí Province, Panama, as money laundering suspects.

According to the report of the National Police of Panama, Segura is the alleged leader of the gang. He, Núñez and Garro, have an arrest warrant issued by the International Police, Interpol.

Operation Quixote was inspired by the main character of the Spanish novel by Miguel de Cervantes, " The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha." The plan allowed police officers to arrest four more suspects of the same gang that allegedly committed the crime of money laundering.

The Quixote operation was directed by the prosecutor's office and the money laundering division of the Judicial Investigation Directorate of Panama.

The case began in August 2021, after the Panamanian police received information from the FBI, about the alleged commission of the crime in the purchase of a farm located in the San Lorenzo District, reported Octavio Nicolau, from the Second Prosecutor's Office Against the Organized Crime of Panama.

In the operation, 16 raids were carried out by judicial agents in different places in Chiriquí, It resulted in the arrest of seven people and the seizure of money, cattle, vehicles, a farm and technological equipment.

All those items, including animals and properties, were seized as part of the evidence in the investigation.

The suspects were taken before a judge of the Accusatory Penal System of Panama. It is expected that in the next few hours, a judge will determine the date of deportation of the Costa Ricans.

Segura-Angulo has an international arrest warrant from the Public Ministry of Costa Rica as a money laundering suspect. In February, agents from the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) carried out several raids on Segura properties, in Pérez Zeledón Canton, San José Province. The operation's goal was to arrest him, however, he was not funded.

According to the OIJ, the Segura investigation began in June 2021, with the participation of the Intelligence and Security Directorate (DIS) and the Public Ministry.

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Should Panamanian authorities speed up the deportation process for Costa Ricans' suspects of money laundering? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com