Panama’s Former DGI Deputy Director Maritza Ureña.   Provisional Arrest Ordered.

The former deputy director of the General Directorate of Revenue (DGI), Maritza Ureña, will remain in provisional detention by order of the judge of guarantees Lizeth Quintero.  The measure was announced at a hearing held Wednesday, September 23, one day after Ureña’s arrest at her residence in Cerro Viento, San Miguelito, in an operation called “Tamias” which in Greek means Treasurer. 

Earlier, the judge charged Ureña with aggravated unjust enrichment and money laundering. The precautionary measure of provisional detention was appealed by defense attorney Harry Iglesias, who, among other reasons, argued that his client is 64 years old.  With the accused was her son, the lawyer Luis Acevedo Ureña, former partner and trusted person of the former Vice President of the Republic, José Gabriel “Gaby” Carrizo. 

Luis Acevedo Ureña (right) with Maritza Ureña’s lawyer (left) on September 23, 2026.

It so happens that Carrizo is also being investigated for unjust enrichment, but in a case that – at least for the moment – is not related to Ureña’s.  Ureña arrived at the courtroom in handcuffs and escorted by police officers to the offices of the First Judicial District of Panama.

$1.01 million

Resources handled by Maritza Ureña, which were documents in the forensic audit.

$585,000

Amount identified as being from a known source.

$428,000

An amount that the former deputy director of the DGI has been unable to justify.

The former official is under investigation after a forensic audit by the Comptroller General of the Republic found that, while serving at the DGI (2019-2024), she handled approximately $1.01 million, but could only account for about $585,000 in known source funds. The difference, estimated at around $428,000, remains under investigation, as Ureña has been unable to justify it.

The Funds That Disappeared.

At Wednesday’s hearing, anti-corruption prosecutor Azucena Aizpurúa addressed the activity in Ureña’s bank accounts. She stated that in April 2026, one account held $183,000, but that money was withdrawn. Another account held $247,794 as of April 30, but by May, it was almost empty. Similar activity was observed in Ureña’s accounts at three local banks, and one of the banks even issued a red flag for potential irregularities.  The name of Luis Acevedo, Maritza Ureña’s son, also surfaced due to cash transactions.

Among the transactions mentioned was the purchase of a RAV4 SUV pictured above for just over $30,000, which was paid for in cash.  The investigation also traces the acquisition of approximately eight properties. Among them is a farm in Coclé, which reportedly cost $69,000, paid in cash. Other real estate transactions and mortgage cancellations also appear in the analysis of Ureña’s assets.  The prosecutor mentioned that on the day of her arrest, agents found $800 in cash at that residence in Cerro Viento.

The former official could not justify the amounts received, which exceed $428,000. The investigation detected disbursements and money transfers through Yappy and between bank accounts says Azucena Aizpurúa, anti-corruption prosecutor.

Milamar and Dorimar.

One of the transactions linked to Luis Acevedo involves a deposit of $75,723.78 to the Milamar Foundation. Acevedo is listed as the president of that foundation, while his mother serves as its secretary.  The prosecution also examined movements related to the Dorimar Foundation, as well as information contained in statements and records before the authorities.  Because the defense attorney appealed the detention decision, the hearing before the Court of Appeals was scheduled for October 12.