A drug lord was caught in the UK thanks to his wife’s social media posts about their lavish vacations
London: A drug cartel kingpin got nabbed in the UK after his wife couldn’t resist showing off their fancy trips online. Luis Grijalba, who’s wanted in the US for cocaine trafficking from Costa Rica, was arrested after agents tracked his wife Estefania’s social media posts.
She shared photos of their travels, including a snap in front of the Eiffel Tower. Grijalba was in London to ring in the New Year with her, enjoying a holiday that cost around £16,000. The American Drug Enforcement Administration had been keeping an eye on her posts about their adventures in Europe.
They had to act fast since Costa Rica usually doesn’t extradite its own citizens. Grijalba, known as “Shock,” was arrested near London Bridge after his wife’s posts revealed their location. It turns out he often traveled separately from her to avoid detection.
Estefania’s social media was a goldmine for the agents, showing her posing with parrots and at luxury hotels. The DEA had been tracking Grijalba for months, waiting for the right moment to strike. He appeared in court the day after his arrest, fighting extradition to the US, where he could face a long prison sentence.
Interestingly, Grijalba has survived two assassination attempts back in Costa Rica. The drug-related violence there has surged, especially in Limón province, where he’s based. Costa Rican officials see his arrest as a significant win, even if they haven’t been able to pin any crimes on him locally yet.
