Costa Rican Couple Arrested for Child Labor Exploitation

Costa Rica News – I am certainly glad the OIJ is around as I always say they are the only law enforcement group that does anything in Costa Rica. Score one for the good guys.

A couple was arrested on suspicion of exploiting child labor.

The Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) reported that the capture occurred in San Juan Santa Barbara de Heredia.

Those involved are a 26 year old man and a 23 year old wife, both Chinese nationals and whose names were not announced.

The OIJ reported that the suspects are the owners of a supermarket in the area of San Juan de Santa Barbara, where the victim was working as a clerk. .

According to official information the victim working around 17 hours a day, every day of the week. The working week was 119 hours, when the law states that a minor over 15 can work only 36 hours a week. They apparently only once a day gave him food.

OIJ raided the home of the suspects, which is located in the back of the supermarket.

At the time of the arrest the child was also rescued, whom was kept in unsanitary conditions and important evidence was seized for investigation.

At the site they found boxes of liquor that was presumably brought  and to be used to bribe police officers.

The offended child is now  in the custody of the National Institute for Children (PANI)

The detainees were passed with a report to the Attorney General to determine their status is legal. They will be linked as suspects of the crime of trafficking for labor exploitation

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