Cartaginés Player Carlos Barahona Arrested in “Gota a Gota” Loan Sharking Raid

Carlos Barahona Arrest in Cartago

Club Sport Cartaginés player Carlos Barahona faces extortion and money laundering charges following a police raid that uncovered informal loans, weapons, and drugs at his property. Judicial authorities arrested the 24-year-old soccer player alongside three other men during operations in Cartago on Wednesday, according to crhoy.com.

The investigation centers on predatory lending practices commonly known as gota a gota loans. Investigators state that the operation began with a loan issued in December 2025, which eventually triggered a victim complaint to the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) after months of mounting pressure.

Family Ties and Co-Defendants in Loan Sharking

Two of the men detained alongside Barahona are his cousins, as confirmed by the Public Ministry and reported by La Teja. The suspects, identified by the last names Artavia and Aguilar, allegedly partnered with the player and a fourth man with the last name Duarte to issue high-interest loans and enforce repayments through intimidation.

According to El Observador, the group targeted victims by threatening them with firearms and making recurring visits to the homes of borrowers, their relatives, and acquaintances. Authorities note that the four suspects operated a coordinated scheme involving exorbitant interest rates and aggressive debt collection tactics.

Evidence Seized During Wednesday Raids

Judicial police executed early morning raids starting at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, targeting Barahona’s residence in the El Bosque urban development in Oreamuno, as well as another property in Guadalupe de Cartago. At the player’s home, officers confiscated plastic-wrapped doses of marijuana and a scale. At the second location, authorities found cash, a Land Rover vehicle, a motorcycle, a firearm, ammunition, a cellphone, and a ski mask.

The four detained suspects will be transferred to the courts of Heredia to deliver their statements. They will remain in custody pending a judicial hearing where the penal court will determine preliminary precautionary measures.

Club Sport Cartaginés Response and Legal Status

Following the arrest, Club Sport Cartaginés released a brief statement confirming that the organization will monitor the legal proceedings and act in accordance with Costa Rican law. The team stated that out of respect for the individuals involved and the judicial authorities, no further declarations will be provided at this time.

The case is currently being processed under judicial expediente 26-3327-0059-PE as prosecutors continue their investigation into the financial flows and exact roles of each suspect within the alleged lending network.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Case

What specific charges do Carlos Barahona and the other suspects face?

The Public Ministry is investigating the four suspects for the alleged crimes of collection-related extortion and money laundering linked to informal lending operations.

Where were the suspects taken after the raids?

Police transferred the four men to the Adjunct Prosecutor’s Office in Heredia for formal questioning before they face a penal judge to determine their precautionary measures.

How did the investigation begin?

The case originated from a predatory loan issued in December 2025, which led the affected victim to file a formal complaint with the OIJ after enduring months of threats and harassment.