2852 Packages of Suspected Drugs Seized in Chiriquí and Three Arrests.
Naval air force intercepts a boat and seizes all these packages of suspected drugs south of Punta Burica.
The National Aeronaval Service (Senan) seized 2,852 packages of suspected drugs and arrested three crew members after intercepting a speedboat south of Punta Burica, in the province of Chiriquí. The operation was carried out during maritime patrols of Operation Protective Shield, the entity reported this Sunday, October 4. According to Senan, the vessel performed evasive maneuvers during the interdiction and ended up colliding with the port side of an institutional vessel.
The air and naval units managed to stop the boat and secure the three occupants, as well as the cargo they were transporting. During the transfer to a safe port, the intercepted vessel began to experience an uncontrollable influx of water, which compromised its buoyancy. Given the risk of sinking, the units prioritized the safety of the crew and the preservation of evidence.
Following instructions from the Chiriquí Drug Prosecutor’s Office, the detainees and the cargo were transferred to the Quebrada de Piedra Naval Air Station. The three crew members were placed at the disposal of the competent authorities to continue with the corresponding process. The National Air and Naval Service (Senan) reported that, so far in 2026, it has seized 57,334 packages of illicit substances in 87 operations carried out as part of actions against drug trafficking.
