Panamas ex top cop gets 64 months jail term

PANAMA’S former  National Police Director, Gustavo Perez has been jailed for 64 months in prison for illegal possession of firearms.

He was sentenced in the Second Criminal Court by Judge Oscar Carrasquilla, but the sentence may be only the beginning of his problems as he is awaiting trial for offences that could carrying much longer sentences.

Perez, who is also a former secretary of the National Security Council, has been in custody since Jan. 12 on charges related to illegal surveillance carried out during his administration. The gun charge was lodged after firearms were found during a search of his residence carried out in connection with the investigation into the illegal surveillance.

Perez and fellow former National Security Council Executive Secretary Alejandro Garuz will go on trial for the illegal surveillance charges on March 7.

Perez also faces charges related to the disappearance of surveillance equipment. That case is still in the preliminary stages.