Costa Rica now has a specialized Border Police force trained to combat drug trafficking, human trafficking and the entrance of illegal immigrants along the country's northern and southern borders, according to Public Security Ministry spokesman Jesús Ureña.
During a ceremony yesterday at Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela, northwest of San José, Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal announced this new effort and received vehicles donated by the the Spanish Civil Guard Foundation including 18 Land Rovers, two pickup trucks and three vans.
The 1,589 officers who will make up the Border Police force had already been working with the National Police, and they now have specialized training to help them in their work in areas including along the San Juan River in the north, and the southern areas of Corredores, Coto Brus and Sixaola.
“They'll continue to work on all areas of public security, but they have a new boss and new resources,” Ureña explained. Berrocal named experienced officials José Fabio Pizarro and Gary Eubanks as Border Police director and assistant-director, respectively.
“It is an inalienable right and a constitutional obligation to preserve our national sovereignty,” he said. |
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