Panama ex-world boxing champ confesses to cocaine crime

PANAMA’S former world  boxing champion champion Celestino Caballero,  confessed to transporting drugs after one and a half hours of questioning on Friday, March  11 said his lawyer Victor Orobio.

Caballero appeared  before the first drug prosecutor, Markel Mora, after being arrested on Thursday, at a police checkpoint with 10 packages of cocaine.

“He recognizes that  he committed a crime, and is sorry””said Orobio.addding that  Caballero sent a message to the Panamanian people expressing his regret  and  acknowledging that he participated in the crime and repented.

Orobio said that no others were  involved and the former champion took full responsibility. After his retirement, h e was appointed as deputy director of the safety and security committee of the World Boxing Associationand has been suspended from the post.

“He stated he does not know who were  the owners of the drugs, and  cannot identify them  or give their addresses. He simply said that he would do a favor or an errand and obviously would be paid and that’s what he said and maintained ” said Orobio.

After the  investigation, Caballero was transferred to the  preventive prison Research and later the director of the prison system will decide which center he will be sent to.

The ex-boxer asked to be transferred to El Renacer Penitentiary Center.

Orobio explained that he asked that the process be referred immediately to the competent court for sentencing  because Caballero had assumed responsibility.

World champion in two different divisions, Caballero  retired from boxing in November 2014 as one of the best in the history of national pugilism.

He reigned in the categories super bantamweight (122 pounds) and was interim champion featherweight (126).

In addition to boxing, he recorded some songs and rap reggae rhythm. He also participated in television programs.