The different police operations that have been organized so far this year by the Ministry of Public Security which have led to the seizure of 757 firearms.

In the majority of the cases, the gun bearer didn’t have the respective permit to carry the weapon. Of the 757 firearms confiscated, 338 are pistols, 257 revolvers, 45 shotguns, 40 rifles, 46 rudimentary manufactured and another 20 that are not allowed in the country.

In total, 158 were seized in San Jose, 146 in Limon, 100 in Alajuela, 95 in Heredia and 77 in Puntarenas.

“The important amount of confiscated firearms that we’ve had a result of the mega operations, plus the large seizure of firearms that the Drug Control Police made in just one operation, represent guns that are being taken out of the streets and we avoid that these get used in criminal activities. 70% of homicides are executed with the use of a firearm”, commented Michael Soto, Minister of Public Security.

The Minister of Public Security will continue developing different operations involving all the police forces, with the purpose of seizing more illegal firearms, and in this way improving citizen security in all communities in the country.

The last mega-operation that was done between Friday and Saturday also resulted in the seizure of drugs, motorcycles and even cattle that had been stolen in Guanacaste. Five foreigners with illegal migratory status were also detained. As well as a man who was wanted by the police as a suspect of robbery and assault.