Fugitive Drug Kingpin Captured In London After Wife’s Social Media Posts Reveal Location

A suspected drug cartel leader facing charges in the U.S. was taken into custody in London after authorities tracked his whereabouts using social media posts made by his wife. Luis Grijalba, who was accused of cocaine smuggling operations from Costa Rica, was arrested after British officials acted on intelligence from U.S. agencies.

The arrest followed an investigation into the couple’s travels, which were frequently documented online by Grijalba’s wife, Estefania McDonald Rodriguez. She shared pictures of their trips to high-profile destinations such as the Eiffel Tower and the Trevi Fountain, unknowingly assisting law enforcement in tracking their movements.

U.S. officials had been following Grijalba for years but were unable to apprehend him while he remained in Costa Rica, which has restrictive extradition laws. Once the couple landed in London for a luxury holiday, British authorities moved in and detained Grijalba near London Bridge.

Rodriguez’s Instagram account, which had amassed a large following, featured numerous photos highlighting their global travels. Though the account has since been deleted, officials noted that the information gathered from her posts was crucial in locating Grijalba.

Known by the alias “Shock,” Grijalba is alleged to have played a key role in a violent drug trafficking organization in Costa Rica’s Limon province. He has previously survived assassination attempts, one of which resulted in multiple fatalities among his associates.

The extradition process to the U.S. is currently underway. Authorities in Costa Rica have acknowledged that Grijalba’s arrest marks a significant step in addressing cartel-related crime in the region.