
A suspected drug cartel leader wanted by U.S. authorities was arrested in London after his wife’s online activity gave away their location. Luis Grijalba, accused of smuggling cocaine from Costa Rica, was taken into custody after American agents tracked photos shared by his wife, Estefania McDonald Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, a beauty salon manager in Costa Rica, frequently posted photos from their international trips. Her online activity, which included images from destinations such as Rome, Paris, and Tokyo, provided law enforcement with crucial leads. Her social media presence attracted a large following, which ultimately led to the couple’s downfall.
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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 monitoring Grijalba for years but were unable to take action while he remained in Costa Rica, where legal restrictions complicated extradition. The arrest occurred when the couple arrived in London to celebrate the New Year, with British officers apprehending Grijalba near London Bridge following a request from the U.S.
Rodriguez’s posts showed the couple enjoying luxury travel, unaware they were being watched by law enforcement. After the arrest, her Instagram account was deleted, but investigators continued gathering evidence from other platforms where images had been shared.
Grijalba, also known by his alias “Shock,” has been linked to violent cartel activity in Costa Rica’s port city of Limon. He has survived multiple assassination attempts, including an attack that left several of his associates dead.
Officials confirmed that extradition proceedings are underway. In recent years, Limon has seen a rise in drug-related violence, with authorities struggling to contain the influence of cartels operating in the region.