Two Colombian men suspected of trafficking in illegal substances are now in custody after they offered a bribe of 5 million colones (about $10,000) to Fuerza Publica officers in Costa Rica.

The incident took place last night in the northern suburbs of Tibas, in the capital city of San Jose. Officers on patrol noticed a suspicious vehicle parked in the darkness of a cemetery. The Fuerza Publica officers decided to take a closer look at the champagne-colored Hyundai Tucson and were walking towards it when another patrol car happened to turn the corner. The occupants of the Hyundai SUV got nervous and burned rubber as they sped off from the cemetery.

The suspects tried to outmaneuver Fuerza Publica, but the narrow streets of the Cuatro Reinas neighborhood did not help their cause. Once the officers stopped the vehicle, they noticed one of the suspects clutching a cooler between his legs. Inside the cooler the officers found a bag, which clumsily tried to conceal three kilograms of cocaine. Narcotics agents were dispatched to the scene to take samples and conduct field testing of the substances found before making an arrest.

Prior to the arrival of the narcotic agents, one of the suspects incited a bribe when he asked one of the officers to “help him out” in exchange for $10,000. The Fuerza Publica officers respectfully declined the offer and proceeded to handcuff the suspects, who are now in the hands of the narcotics prosecutors.

One of the Colombian suspects arrested is a naturalized citizen of Costa Rica. The other man has an asylum request in process.

Source: Ingrid Luna Ramirez, Fuerza Publica