Press "PandaGuides" above to follow us!
A suspected drug kingpin from Central America, Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba, also known as “Shock,” was apprehended while vacationing in Europe, thanks to his wife’s social media activity.
Grijalba, 43, had been under investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for months for allegedly trafficking cocaine from Limón, Costa Rica, to the United States, according to the New York Post. However, his capture wasn’t the result of a covert operation but rather his wife’s Instagram posts, which unintentionally revealed his whereabouts.
His wife, 32-year-old Estefania McDonald Rodriguez, documented their extravagant holiday across Europe, sharing photos of the family at iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, beaches, Rome’s Trevi Fountain, and even holding parrots. These now-deleted posts gave law enforcement a clear trail to track the family’s movements and enabled authorities to predict their next destination.
Acting on the clues, the DEA secured a warrant to arrest Grijalba in Europe, avoiding the legal complications that could arise from apprehending him in Costa Rica, where extradition laws are stricter.
Grijalba had reportedly spent $20,000 on airfare to take his family on the luxurious New Year’s getaway. However, his plans were cut short when he was detained at a London airport. The next day, he appeared in court, where he faced possible extradition to the United States to stand trial for drug trafficking charges.
Costa Rica’s Attorney General, Carlo Díaz, acknowledged the importance of Grijalba’s arrest but noted that his office had no formal charges against the suspect. “This is a significant capture for us as well, although we had not been able to attribute any criminal act to him in Costa Rica. However, he has been linked to investigations involving drug trafficking in Limón,” Díaz told reporters.
Grijalba remains in custody as legal proceedings for his extradition continue. Meanwhile, his wife has deleted all her social media accounts following the incident.
Long press or scan the QR CODE below to follow us!
