B.C. Man Wanted on Firearms and Trafficking Charges Arrested in Costa Rica
A British Columbia man facing serious criminal charges has been apprehended in Central America, marking a significant development in an ongoing law enforcement investigation.
International Arrest in Tourist Destination
Jesse Michael Valentino Bou-Saleh, a 35-year-old resident of British Columbia, was taken into custody last week in Tamarindo, a popular beach town on the northwest coast of Costa Rica frequented by international tourists. The arrest occurred on January 22, 2026, following coordination between international law enforcement agencies.
Local media reports from Costa Rica indicate that Bou-Saleh had been living in the area with his spouse, Katarina Grabic, and their children prior to his apprehension. The arrest was reportedly facilitated through cooperation between Interpol and Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency, though neither the B.C. RCMP nor Costa Rican authorities have officially commented on the case.
Background of Criminal Charges
Bou-Saleh was originally charged in February 2025 alongside four other individuals for multiple offences allegedly committed in Vernon, West Kelowna, and Lake Country, British Columbia. The charges against him include:
- Commission of an offence for a criminal organization
- Trafficking of controlled substances
- Possession of prohibited firearms
Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Bou-Saleh had not appeared on Canada's most wanted list or the Interpol Red Notice list prior to his arrest in Costa Rica.
Civil Forfeiture Proceedings Reveal Details
Additional information about the police investigation emerges from civil forfeiture proceedings initiated against Bou-Saleh and his spouse in June 2023. The British Columbia government has filed a lawsuit seeking forfeiture of assets allegedly connected to criminal activity, including:
- A townhouse at 12840 Stillwater Court, currently assessed at $821,000
- $58,250 in cash seized by RCMP during their investigation
- A 2012 Land Rover allegedly used to transport proceeds of crime and controlled substances
The civil claim alleges that criminal proceeds contributed to the 2021 purchase of the Stillwater Court property and that Bou-Saleh began trafficking activities in and around Vernon in or before June 2022.
Extensive Police Investigation and Seizures
Police executed search warrants at multiple properties connected to the investigation on March 3, 2025, uncovering substantial evidence of alleged criminal operations:
At an Armstrong residence on Belaire Drive:
- Packaging materials and weigh scales
- Money counter and scoresheets
- An antique firearm
At a Kelowna property on Majoros Road:
- 45 firearms, including ghost guns manufactured using 3D printers
- Over $45,000 in cash
- Counterfeit Xanax pills
The investigation also identified a storage locker on Carrington Road in Westbank allegedly connected to the operation. The civil forfeiture documents claim Bou-Saleh employed various associates who resided at or controlled the Armstrong and Kelowna properties.
This international arrest represents a significant development in a complex investigation spanning multiple jurisdictions and involving serious allegations of organized criminal activity, drug trafficking, and illegal firearms possession.
