Sophisticated Oil Theft Techniques Plague Costa Rica
A Growing Concern
Gangs of fuel thieves in Costa Rica have taken their operations to the next level by hiring experts to create high-tech, professionally-made illegal oil taps on pipelines. This worrying trend has left the country’s state-owned oil company, RECOPE, reeling from significant losses.
The Cost of Oil Theft
- High-tech oil taps are selling for as much as 3 million colons (around $5,000)
- Since 2015, RECOPE has seen a significant increase in the number of illegal oil taps, resulting in millions of dollars in losses
Recent Arrests and Seizures
In recent months, authorities have made several high-profile arrests related to oil theft. These include:
Heredia Oil Theft Network
- Six suspected members were arrested and charged with stealing at least $2 million from RECOPE
- Authorities seized a range of items, including an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, trucks with storage tanks, and bulletproof vests
Limón Arrests
- 14 others were apprehended for allegedly stealing over $2.1 million in oil
- The seizures included trucks with storage tanks, further highlighting the sophistication of these criminal groups
Oil Theft as a Growing Industry
Oil theft has become a big business in Latin America, with crime groups viewing it as a low-risk, high-reward revenue stream. Experts believe that these groups are diversifying their portfolios as they grow stronger, with increased revenues from the cocaine trade providing them with the resources to expand into other illicit activities like oil theft and gold mining.
The Need for a Coordinated Effort
As crime groups continue to grow stronger, it remains to be seen whether Costa Rica will face similar levels of violence. For now, authorities in Costa Rica are grappling with rising violence due to increased fighting between criminal groups for control of local drug markets. A coordinated effort to combat oil theft and related crimes is necessary, as well as a renewed focus on addressing the root causes of crime in Costa Rica.