Anti-drug operation arrests climb to 70

Fourteen,  people including three officials were arrested in 18 raids Wednesday in the second phase of Operation “Fisher” operation, the security authorities.

The raids by officials from the First Drug Prosecutor’s Office and agents from the National Police were carried out in Colón, central Panama, East Panama, and West Panama and the 14 detainees are allegedly linked to the Clan del Golfo.

“Among them, an official from the National Assembly, one from the Panama Maritime Authority and a worker from Panama Metro,” reported Carlos Valencia, from the National Directorate of Judicial Investigation.

In the sector of La Cresta de Colón, the sum of $10,000 was seized, while a residence in Condado del Rey seized a firearm and 2,460 ammunition of different calibers.

Two of the raids were carried out on companies dedicated to car rental in the capital city.

Earlier, the Attorney General’s Office reported that in the development of this second phase of the “Fisher” operation, a residence in Hato Pintado was raided.

On December 9, 2020, the guarantee judge Teodolinda Cardoze ordered the preventive detention of 51 of the 56 accused of crimes of illicit association and money laundering.

On that occasion, it was reported that nine officials were apprehended in the operation, of which five were linked to the security forces.

The group of 56 people is accused of being part of a criminal organization linked to the Clan del Golfo, whose base is in Colombia.