A U.S. citizen living and working as a real estate agent in the central Pacific was arrested Wednesday and faces deportation to the United States, where he is accused of drug trafficking, according to a statement released yesterday by the international police agency Interpol.

A court in the U.S. state of Virginia began looking for the suspect, identified as Adam Blackiston, in connection with a marijuana plantation raided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. He was arrested yesterday along the Inter American Highway near Jacó as he headed to a quad bike repair shop.

He was carrying 0.9 mm and 0.38 mm guns at the time of arrest but did not put up any resistance.

Blackiston has been living legally in Costa Rica for several years and working in real estate in the central Pacific area, according to the statement.

The Web site for the company Central Pacific Investments claims Blackiston as its owner and says he has invested in real estate in the central Pacific since 1994. He has also “worked in sales, construction and property development” and has a degree from Virginia Wesleyan College, it says.

The Tico Times yesterday called a phone number posted on the Web site and reached Blackiston's house in the Opera Salvaje development in Playa Hermosa. His housekeeper said he called her yesterday to tell her he'd been arrested and instructed her to stay at the house.

He stands before a court in San José and faces extradition to the United States.