Planes supersede Martinelli radar gaff

PANAMA  has sidelined the $250 million radar system purchased by the Ricardo Martinelli Government in favor of aircraft patrols to detect boats used by drug smugglers along its coast.

The radar system was provided by the Italian defense consortium Finmeccanica but the deal has come under heavy scrutiny due to allegations it included bribes to government officials.

It has also been criticized because the radar  system did not work as promised and could not pick up fast moving speed boats used by smugglers.

Joe Laniado, commissioner of the aero naval service, Senan, said  the agency has been  relying on aircraft to spot the boats and then has  then dispatched vessels to intercept them.

This has resulted in the seizure of 128 tons of drugs since July 2014. Laniado said.