By Wendy Anders

Costa Rican Police have given citations to at least 424 bars since January 2015 for a total of 674 legal infractions, stated the Public Security Ministry in a press statement.

The citations are for practices including serving customers past operating hours, selling drugs, adulterating alcoholic beverages, unauthorized use of the space, expired or nonexisting business and/or liquor licenses, serving minors, fights, scandals, noise pollution, lack of health permits, among other infractions, stated the ministry.

Some establishments received up to seven citations, and others were closed down entirely.

Cartago’s bars received the most citations with 140, followed by Alajuela with 97, and San José with 69.

Puntarenas’ bars were ticked with 70 infractions, Guanacaste’s 56, and Heredia’s 41.

Other infractions were found in rural areas throughout the country including Corredores, Golfito, Puerto Jimenez and Coto Brus in the south, and Matina, Limón, Guácimo and Siquirres in the Atlantic region.

San Carlos, Zarcero, Guatuso, Rio Cuarto, Perez Zeledon, Osa, Buenos Aires, La Cruz, Upala and Los Chiles scattered in the country’s northern and southern regions also had bars operating with legal irregularities.

In addition to providing a copy of the citation to the establishment owners, the local governments were also notified of the situation at the bars within their jurisdiction so the appropriate measures can be taken regarding permits and other issues regulated by local ordinances, said the ministry.