Nicaragua Army seizes 475 cocaine packages near Costa Rica border

The Nicaraguan Army announced on Friday, June 19, 2026, the seizure of 475 packages of cocaine near the border with Costa Rica. The operation took place in the municipality of San Carlos, located in the Río San Juan department.

According to the military report, the suspects, who were traveling in a boat on the Frío River, fled upon detecting the presence of Army troops, leaving the drugs abandoned. The 475 rectangular packages, containing cocaine, were found hidden in 19 sacks aboard the vessel.

The operation was carried out by the Southern Military Detachment of the Nicaraguan Armed Forces. While the weight of the seized cocaine was not disclosed, authorities stated that the drugs and the boat were handed over to the competent authority for legal proceedings.

Nicaraguan authorities maintain they are executing a strategy called 'Containment Wall,' aimed at preventing the circulation of drugs and drug-related money within populated areas. They emphasize maintaining "close cooperation ties" with regional countries, as well as the United States, Mexico, and Russia.

This seizure comes amid ongoing discussions about Nicaragua's role in drug trafficking routes. A May 2026 report highlighted how significant quantities of cocaine had bypassed the 'Containment Wall' and left the country, only to be intercepted by authorities in other nations before reaching their intended destinations in the United States and Europe. Between January 2024 and April 2026, over 4,300 kilograms of cocaine, valued at approximately $283.86 million, were reportedly seized in various countries originating from Nicaragua.