
A fugitive drug kingpin wanted in the United States was apprehended in London after his wife’s frequent social media updates revealed their whereabouts. Luis Grijalba, accused of trafficking cocaine from Costa Rica, was arrested by British authorities with assistance from U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Grijalba’s wife, Estefania McDonald Rodriguez, unknowingly provided crucial clues to investigators by posting photos of their travels across Europe and Asia. The pictures, shared with thousands of followers, included shots of the couple in front of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Rome’s Trevi Fountain.
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😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Fugitive Cartel Chief Wanted in the US Is Captured in London After His Wife Posted Revealing Social Media Photos of Their Travels
The Telegraph reported:
“Luis Grijalba, wanted in the US on charges of exporting cocaine from… pic.twitter.com/o3lCO8WkWA
— Leaf Blogazine (@LBlogazine76240) January 27, 2025
Authorities had been tracking Grijalba for years but were unable to detain him in Costa Rica due to legal restrictions. Instead, they monitored Rodriguez’s online activity, waiting for the right moment to act. The National Crime Agency detained Grijalba near London Bridge after he arrived in the UK to celebrate the New Year.
Rodriguez, a beauty salon supervisor in Limon, Costa Rica, continued posting pictures even as her husband remained a fugitive. Investigators used her social media presence to trace their movements and coordinate with British authorities for the arrest. Following the incident, her Instagram account was deleted, though other accounts remain accessible.
Grijalba has faced multiple assassination attempts in Costa Rica, narrowly escaping one attack that left several of his associates dead. The Costa Rican government had struggled to bring him to justice, with extradition barriers complicating efforts to prosecute him locally.
Extradition proceedings are now underway, with U.S. officials eager to bring him to trial. Limon, where Grijalba’s operations were based, has experienced increasing violence, making his capture a significant development in efforts to curb drug-related crime.