Adding to a recent wave of aquatic drug busts, police yesterday seized more than two tons of cocaine in Pacific waters in two separate cases, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.

The largest bust occurred off the shore of the central Pacific town of Quepos, when Costa Rican and U.S. Coast Guard officials, together with police, seized a boat carrying more than two tons of cocaine.

The three Colombian men aboard tried to set the ship on fire when they saw police approaching, but were arrested and are being taken to Quepos, along with the boat. Police are investigating the case and determining the exact amount of cocaine aboard, the statement said.

Additionally, yesterday morning, a Costa Rican boat carrying six kilos of cocaine was seized by police at the port city of Caldera. Aboard the boat, named Matina, were two Costa Ricans identified by the last names Badilla and Gutiérrez were arrested.

Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal said he is concerned about this case, which shows a relation between international and local drug trafficking. Police suspect the two aboard worked with international drug traffickers to deliver fuel to boats carrying drugs at high sea and received the drugs they were carrying as a payment for their services.

-Tico Times