In the Colón Free Zone, a Million-Dollar Smuggling Ring was Dismantled

In a decisive blow against the mafias operating from the Colón Free Zone, the Second Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime captured 9 members of a network dedicated to drug trafficking and tobacco smuggling.  From the early hours of Wednesday, the tranquility in various parts of the provinces of Colón and Panama Oeste was interrupted by the deployment of “Operation Northern Zone”.  In a coordinated action, judicial authorities carried out 12 simultaneous raids to dismantle a criminal structure that operated with sophistication in the national territory.  The operation resulted in the arrest of nine people (seven men and two women).

However, the most significant finding for investigators is that among those detained are active officials of the National Customs Authority, who allegedly facilitated the movement of illicit goods by evading official controls.  Investigations by the Public Prosecutor’s Office reveal that this organization was not only involved in drug trafficking, but that its main source of funding came from cigarette smuggling. It is estimated that the network is linked to previous seizures of merchandise valued at over 4 million dollars. 

During the searches of residences and checkpoints, the agents of the Prosecutor’s Office managed to collect compelling evidence that links the suspects to the criminal activities: the sum of $12,466.00 was located in a single house; a high-end truck, laptops and multiple cell phones that will be subjected to expert analysis and a firearm was seized without the proper registration.  The nine detainees will be brought before a judge pronto.