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Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba, a 43-year-old drug kingpin, was arrested in the United Kingdom after his wife, Estefania McDonald Rodriguez, inadvertently revealed their location through social media posts. Grijalba, known by his alias "Shock," was apprehended at a London airport in December. He is accused of shipping cocaine from Limón, Costa Rica, to the United States.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had been tracking Grijalba for months. His wife's Instagram posts, which included photos from their lavish European vacation, helped officials pinpoint his location. One notable post showed the couple in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The DEA, with an international warrant, coordinated with the UK's National Crime Agency to arrest Grijalba near London Bridge.
Grijalba, a dual U.S. and Costa Rican citizen had traveled to Europe to celebrate the New Year with his family. He had purchased $20,000 worth of plane tickets for the trip. Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department director, Randall Zúñiga, noted that Grijalba usually traveled cautiously but seemed "too relaxed" this time.
Costa Rican authorities, including Attorney General Carlo Díaz, acknowledged Grijalba's links to drug trafficking but had not charged him with any crimes. The DEA aims to prosecute Grijalba in the U.S. and confiscate his assets. Grijalba is currently contesting extradition to the U.S., with his case set to be heard next month.
The arrest has sparked controversy in Costa Rica, with President Rodrigo Chaves Robles questioning why local authorities had not taken action against Grijalba.