A notorious drug kingpin, Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba, was apprehended by authorities in London while vacationing with his wife, Estefania McDonald Rodriguez. The 43-year-old, also known as “Shock,” was wanted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for his involvement in exporting cocaine from Costa Rica.
Grijalba and Rodriguez had embarked on a luxurious holiday trip across Europe and Asia to ring in the New Year. However, their extravagant vacation came to an abrupt end when Rodriguez’s social media posts inadvertently disclosed their location to the authorities. Pictures of the couple posing in front of iconic landmarks and luxury hotels were shared online, catching the attention of DEA agents tracking their movements.
With the assistance of the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), Grijalba was arrested near London Bridge on December 29. Costa Rican authorities had issued an arrest warrant at the DEA’s behest, leading to Grijalba’s apprehension. Randall Zuniga, director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), confirmed the arrest and revealed that Grijalba was detained at an airport in London.
The Nicaraguan nationalized Costa Rican is facing extradition to the United States to face charges related to his involvement in international drug trafficking activities originating from the coastal region of Limon. Grijalba has survived two assassination attempts in Costa Rica, underscoring the dangers associated with his criminal activities.
As Grijalba contests his extradition to the US, the authorities are focused on bringing him to justice for his alleged role in smuggling cocaine and perpetuating drug-related crimes. The arrest serves as a significant victory in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking networks, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational organized crime.
