Costa Rica’s Drug Control Police announced they have attacked 40 criminal structures dedicated to illegal drug trafficking since January

Of these, seven were dedicated to international drug trafficking, and 33 to local drug dealing, of which 16 were family-based operations.

The Ministry of Public Security said the criminal groups detected and broke up by police involved arrests in different parts of the country.

The ministry said many small communities have felt a renewed calm on their streets since these arrests have taken place.

Members of the narco criminal structures who were arrested will face trial, and if found guilty, will receive penalties ranging from eight to 20 years in prison.

Law 8204 in Costa Rica regulates narcotics, psychotropic substances, unauthorized drugs, and related activities, including money laundering and terrorist financing.

The family narco structures investigated and raided by police involved diverse family members including parents, siblings, uncles, nephews, and grandparents, said the ministry.