The authorities stopped a vehicle with license plate number 392262 at the checkpoint in Guabala in the province of Chiriqui, which was detected to have a false bottom containing 115 kilos of drugs, determined to be cocaine through a field test. Police Commissioner Luis Navarro, the local police commander in Chiriqui, said two Panamanians were arrested. This seizure was made over the weekend. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: Third large bust this weekend.

About 100 kilos of cocaine were found in a frozen food container by National Police officers in the province of Colon. The drugs were distributed in four suitcases. The container reportedly came from Ecuador and was destined for Belgium. The container was full of frozen tuna. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: Second large drug bust this weekend.

Members of the National Air Service seized 1,362 kilos of cocaine on the Costa Arriba, Colon province, through Operation San Lorenzo. This operation took place this weekend and the drugs were located in a speedboat. The kilos of cocaine were packed in 57 bundles. No one has been arrested for this offense. Authorities also retained three vessels that were in the area that may have been involved in drug trafficking. (Critica)

Editor's Comment: The province of Colon is divided into the "Upper Coast" and the "Lower Coast." The upper coast is everything to the North and East of the city of Colon, including Portobelo, Puerto Lindo, etc. The "Lower Coast" is everything to the South and West of the city of Colon, including Miguel de la Borda, Gobea, Piña, etc. I understand the drug traffickers simply abandoned the boat carrying the drugs sometime during the night, and the authorities found it simply floating in the ocean. By the way, this bust was 3,000 pounds of cocaine. That's a lot of blow.

Jose Luis Guzman, a Mexican who tried to enter Panama with $300,000 in cash, was sentenced by the Fifth Criminal Court to 40 months in prison for money laundering, last June. Guzman entered Panama in 2009, from Mexico City, and was detected by the Customs Investigation Department carrying the undeclared money. The large amount of money was detected in a double bottom of a suitcase, where four packages were covered with transparent plastic. The Mexican was prosecuted by the Second Anti Drug Prosecutor, and he could not prove the origin of money, so he was investigated for having the money from drug trafficking. According to the foreigner, he came on vacation to Panama, and a day before his flight a friend gave him the suitcase with the money. (Critica)

More than a ton of drugs were seized during "Operation Hammer" held this weekend in Panamanian waters, specifically 6 nautical miles from Tigre Island, in the Guna Yala region. Field testing confirmed the 1,175 packages covered with black and brown adhesive tape contained cocaine. The combined operation between the National Air Service and U.S. Coast Guard is a new seizure, in less than 15 days. (Critica)

Editor's Comment: Hey, a ton here, a ton there - after awhile it adds up. In 2009 and 2010 Panama seized about 50 tons of cocaine per year. That dropped off a little in 2011, and I don't know what the totals are so far for 2012. I do know the government of Panama has seized the third most drugs - behind the United States and Colombia - and I also know the traffickers are having a harder time getting their goods to market. The drug war has always been the "war of last resort" at least since the 80's.

Customs workers at the Tocumen International Airport seized $17,500 in undeclared cash from a citizen from El Salvador who arrived on a commercial flight. The subject had some of the money hidden in a handle of a suitcase, and more hidden in the pockets of the pants he was wearing. A customs process was started against the foreigner, and his testimony was taken. So far in 2012, Customs has seized more than $2.1 million dollars in cash. Authorities at the airport have strengthened checks for those who try to bring money illegally. (Critica)

Editor's Comment: Drugs go North, cash comes South...

The Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ), reported the seizure of about 787 packets of cocaine, found hidden on an island in the Pearl Islands. According to the DIJ, this seizure was made in less than 72 hours - the first stash had 577 kilos, which was found buried in a swamp on the island at about 5:00 pm on Tuesday 31 July. While a stash had another 210 kilos of cocaine, which was found in the morning hours of Thursday. The operation called "Operation Pacific -1", was conducted by the UTOA, and the Special Prosecutor for Crimes Related to Drugs. (TVN)

International law expert Julio Yao said today on the channel 2 TVN morning news broadcast, the Guna Yala General Congress is not obligated to turn over any boat used by drug traffickers to the State Border Service (SENAFRONT), because their region is shielded by the Constitution, and the national authorities must ask permission.

Yao said now another ingredient arises in the conflict, the enforcement of the Salas Becker treaty, against which a claim of unconstitutionality was submitted by the former director of the Public Registry, the Panameñista Luis Barria and the PRD's Pedro Miguel Gonzalez, and he agrees with them, but the request "sleeps the dreams of the just" in the Supreme Court.

Yao said the boat, a bone of contention between the local "sahilas" and the SENAFRONT, was chased by a U.S. helicopter, came to national waters, and took refuge on Isla Tigre. There the U.S. helicopter could not act because it has no jurisdiction, but neither can the SENAFRONT argued the expert. If they were trafficking drugs or not, procedures must be followed, the laws of the District are recognized by the Panamanian government, Yao stressed. What's more, he said the "sahilas" could even demand that the crew who were arrested and the drugs that were seized be returned to them. "Everything should be coordinated with the Guna General Congress," said Yao, adding it's the duty of the Guna authorities to discipline and punish crime in the region.

However, he emphasized that what is being discussed is how the crime is pursued, because it involved an additional element, which is the Salas Becker treaty. He recalled this treaty was signed on February 5, 2002 in the government of former President Mireya Moscoso during carnival and published in the Official Gazette on Ash Wednesday. "It was a madrugonazo" he said referring to the sudden adoption of the instrument. This treaty was signed between the U.S. and Panama (specifically by the charge d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy Frederick Becker and the then Minister of Government and Justice Anibal Salas for Panama) to conduct joint patrols in Panamanian waters and to fly over the airspace to pursue the drug trafficking. The document was never passed to the National Assembly for approval or rejection. (TVN)

Increasingly, Panamanian authorities are detecting sailboats that are being used to transport illegal substances. The Vice Minister of Security Alexander Garuz said these boats are being used to introduce drugs into the country, or to travel along its shores. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: There was a recent very large drug bust on a sailboat. Cruisers, don't be surprised if you see some sort of increase in inspections.

Eight hundred forty-six kilos of suspected cocaine and more than $42,000 were confiscated as the result of an operation conducted by the Naval Air Service (SENAN) during this weekend in Costa Abajo, province of Colon. After a tracking operation dubbed "Sabaot" which began on July 26, they detected a sailboat with a European flag in the Palmilla River in Colon SENAN units, perceiving the suspicious attitude of the crew, escorted them to the Naval Air Station at Sherman. It was then the illegal substance and money was detected. Aboard the boat were two men from Honduras. So far in 2012 the SENAN has seized about six tons of drugs and a few weeks ago, in the Archipelago of Las Perlas marijuana plants were found. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: Another sailboat full of cocaine. Go figure. What was the name of the boat, cruisers? These guys are giving the cruising community a bad name. I mean, it's not like Skippy and Biffy aboard the good ship "Snort A Lot" are doing this sort of thing, right?

A new drug circulating in the country, known as the "Crispy", allowing for increased addiction in young Panamanians, this illicit substance in the mixture of buds from the marijuana plant and cocaine. The Anti Drug Prosecutor Javier Caraballo said the retail drug sellers in Panama were unaware of its existence, but following the sale of this drug in night entertainment locations (nightclubs, bars) Panamanians began to consume and distribute. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: So, they mix cocaine with the marijuana in order to make it more addictive.

Panama has extradited the alleged drug trafficker Andrés Cajiao Barberena to the United States, where he is accused of being responsible for having run in the Caribbean country an international cartel that trafficked tons of cocaine and heroin, said the US Justice Department on Friday. Cajiao Barberena came to the United States on Thursday and Friday be was to be brought before a judge in New York, said the statement from the Department. According to U.S. authorities, Cajiao Barberena was in charge of operations in Panama of the cartel led by Manuel Felipe Salazar-Espinosa capo, that between 2002 and 2005 trafficked to the United States about 5 tons of cocaine. Salazar-Espinosa was convicted in 2007 in New York to 30 years in prison. "Thanks again to our international colleagues, today we have taken another important step" in the fight against drugs, said the prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara. If convicted, Cajiao Barberena could be sentenced from 10 years to life. (Estrella)

Agents of the Department of Judicial Investigation (DIJ) and the International Police (Interpol) arrested the Colombian Oscar Neftalí Jaramillo Rojas, who is wanted for extradition by the U.S. justice system on charges of drug trafficking, officials said. The Public Security Ministry said in a statement that Jaramillo Rojas, 43, was arrested Monday after being requested for extradition by U.S. authorities for allegedly having introduced drugs into that country. The arrest occurred as the Colombian was walking in the area of the food stalls found outside of the La Joya prison, the report said. Jaramillo Rojas was immediately taken to the premises of the DIJ, and then he was turned over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the extradition process. Panamanian law enforcement authorities did not specify how long the Colombian was in Panama, or if he had committed a crime in the country, nor what he was doing in the area of the prison when he was arrested. (Prensa)

The head of the State Border Service (SENAFRONT), Frank Abrego, announced the recovery of three boats that were being held by residents of the Guna Yala district. Abrego said the boats were delivered to the Office of Drugs in Colon. Abrego said that for these boats to stay in the communities, they must ask for custody from the Ministry of Economy and Finance. These boats, according to the authorities, belonged to groups of drug traffickers, and there were differences with some of the local indigenous authorities over the seizure of these assets. (TVN)

The DIJ and the Drug Prosecutor's Office seized 165 packages of cocaine and arrested four foreigners, including Hondurans, Mexicans and Colombians, after an operation in Nuevo Emperador in the district of Arraiján. The cocaine was seized on a farm and hidden in the false bottom of a pickup truck. Authorities also seized three vehicles, two assault rifles, and a shotgun. (Critica)

The Director of the National Border Service (SENAFRONT) Frank Abrego said a "saila" (local community leader) in Carti Tupile allegedly sold a boat that had been used for drug trafficking in the Guna Yala region for $9,000 dollars. Abrego said they have already opened an investigation into this case. Last week SENAFRONT officers and officials from the Anti Drug Prosecutor's Office from Colon attempted to seize this vessel, but the local "sailas" refused to turn it over. Abrego said on the channel 2 TVN morning news broadcast that the "salia" said he sold the boat to a Colombian, but he could not remember his personal information.

Congress - About the relationship between the SENAFRONT and the General Congress of the Guna Yala, Abrego said it's good, and in fact several of their officers have explained the importance of their work in this area. Abrego said there are only two or three "sailas" who are causing some problems in the region, but the rest are working with the local authorities of the entity. Abrego said the Attorney General Jose Ayu Prado has a good relationship with the General Congress of Guna Yala.

On 10 July 2012 officials from the Anti Drug Prosecutor's Office of Colon, and from the Office of Real Heritage of the Ministry of Finance tried to seize the boat, but they could not because the local authorities in Cartí Tupile refused to cooperate. A spokesman from the community said the General Congress of Guna Yala told them that the boat had supposedly been abandoned by drug traffickers belong to them. (Prensa)

Editor's Comment: The big blue and yellow boat in the photo is the boat in question. In many cases it's the Guna Yala people themselves who are either trafficking the drugs, helping the drug traffickers, or in other ways profiting or benefiting from the drug trafficking. Like in this case they kept the "abandoned" boat and sold it for $9,000 in cash. In Panama City these stories of intransigence on the part of the Guna Yala people evoke responses of "how dare they." And of course, this is often exactly the same response generated among the Guna Yala people when the SENAFRONT or Prosecutors come to their islands to make demands. So, they can investigate all they want, but in the meantime the boat is gone, the money has been divided up, and the local "salia" is on his island, swinging in a hammock, watching the clouds drift by, without a care in the world. Go ahead, try to arrest him. You'll never make it 30 feet off the beach...

By Dan Scanlan - A cargo container full of fruit concentrate headed from Panama to Belgium through the Jacksonville port got delayed recently after U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents found cocaine valued at almost $3.5 million hidden inside. Customs spokeswoman Jennifer Bradshaw said agents were inspecting cargo containers June 12 at the Northside Jacksonville Port Authority. They found one that had originated in Chile that showed signs of tampering. Inside they discovered 100 bricks of cocaine weighing 235 pounds and packed in four black duffel bags on top of the cargo.

“The investigation continues, but at this time we haven’t identified any suspects,” Bradshaw said. “The container showed signs of tampering, so we believe the actual cocaine was put in while it was in Panama.” The container arrived in Jacksonville aboard a freighter, Bradshaw said.

The National Police of the Canal Zone seized 250 kilos of suspected cocaine on the beaches of Veracruz. This seizure happened during the early morning hours today, and five people were arrested. When they saw the police they tried to abandon the goods and flee the scene in a small bus. (Dia a Dia)

Two Panamanians were arrested in Rio Hato, Cocle Province, at a police roadblock where narcotics officers found 141 kilos of suspected drugs hidden in body of two cars. The suspects planned to take the cargo from the capital into the country without knowing they were being followed by police. Both subjects were turned over to the Anti Drug Prosecutor's office. (Siglo)

Nine kilos of heroin and $29,926 dollars in cash was seized on Tuesday afternoon by narcotics agents of the Direction of Judicial Investigation (DIJ) and the Drug Prosecutor's Office in the area of Las Cumbres. The discovery was made ​​specifically in the area of Praderas del Roció, where in addition two cars were seized. Five people have been arrested in this case. (Telemetro)

About 115 kilos of cocaine hidden in a refrigerated container full of frozen salmon, were seized by the Narcotics Department of the Judicial Investigation Department and the National Police in the port of Manzanillo in Colon. The drugs were hidden in four suitcases. The container came from Chile and was destined for Mexico and Rotterdam. The Deputy Commissioner of Police in Colon, Luis Alvarez, said this is part of the work done in conjunction with port security and the DIJ. He noted there are no detainees, and information obtained showed the drugs were in that container. He said they are continuing to investigate to rule out other drugs in other containers. (Critica)

The Vice President Juan Carlos Varela, who is also the President of the Panameñista political party, said today 8 July 2012, the leaders of the political parties must take measures to keep drug traffickers from influencing the parties. Varela made ​​a tour of the populous district of San Miguelito to meet with Panameñista party leaders.

"I think the political parties must take measures and precautions to prevent organized crime, drug trafficking and money laundering from infiltrating the political process," he reiterated. He added said his commitment is to work against insecurity, and to change the lives of citizens in Panama's poorest neighborhoods.

Varela called upon President Ricardo Martinelli to not impose the electoral reforms, because the Electoral Court judges met with the board of political parties, with the Chamber of Commerce and a decision was made that the reforms should be kept out of discussions in the National Assembly. "He (Martinelli) should not impose" and "if it does once again the people will teach him to respect the Panamanian people," he said.

RPC Radio said democracy belongs to three million Panamanians, and not him (Martienlli) and their defector Deputies who were purchased with state resources. (Estrella)

Editor's Comment: More and more, Varela is just trying to retain a degree of relevancy. The Panamanian voters have already sent a message to the Panameñista party - and they now represent less than 15% of the population of the country. By election time, it will be hard for Varela to score more than 10% at the polls, because there will be many more defections from his quickly sinking ship.

The government of the United States presented a patrol boat to the Panamanian authorities this Friday, 6 July 2012, to help in the fight against drug trafficking. Belsio Gonzalez, of the National Naval Air Service said it is a 45 foot long patrol boat that was refitted in Panama with the help of the United States. Gonzalez said this is the second of a total of five patrol boats which the United States will be donating to Panama. Public Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino said this donation adds more equipment to be used in their strategy to fight drug trafficking. He also said the Government must be prepared to ensure the integration of security in the country. (Prensa)

Panama's Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino said people should be "very careful" of anyone they vote for in the 2014 elections. He said there are many people who are running as candidates for elected office who have links to drug trafficking. Mulino said the introduction of drug money into Panamanian politics "is palpable," and he called on the political parties to "shield themselves against the interference of organized crime" in politics. Mulino said he would present a Bill to regulate the marine registration certificates, which will be done through the Observatory of Public Safety, to be vigilant about the facts of security generated in the country. The Minister made these statements during the renovation of a cooperation agreement with the Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture and Industry of Panama. (Panama America)

A surveillance operation conducted by the National Police on Calle 50 resulted in the arrest of two Panamanians and a Nigerian who allegedly had drugs in his possession. It was learned the men were traveling in a sedan with packages of the alleged drugs, so they proceeded to arrest these people. Afterward they searched the apartment in the Gaytal building where the Nigerian lives in search of more irregularities. According to information from the authorities, it is presumed this was a collection center from where the illegal goods were being transported. (TVN)

Editor's Comment: I really love this new digital age, where everyone has a high quality digital camera and an Internet data connection in their pocket on their cell phone. I received dozens of photos of these three guys face-down on Calle 50 when they were busted this morning. Keep those street reports coming. If you see something going down, snap and send.

After a tracking operation, officers of the National Naval Air Service (SENAN) seized 1,785 kilos of cocaine near the Guarabito river in the province of Bocas del Toro, reported Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino in a press conference. According to the Director of the SENAN, Ramón Neonato López, the seizure occurred yesterday, Tuesday, 26 June 2012, and is the largest drug seizure made ​​so far this year, and one of the strongest blows against drug trafficking. Mulino said seizure operation was dubbed "Miracles One" and the drug traffickers were tracked for several days. Police found 71 bags of cocaine buried under mud and water, covered with a blue plastic tarp. They said drug traffickers are using the coasts to transport the goods by speedboats. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: 1,785 kilos is 3,935 pounds, or almost two tons of cocaine. This is a massive bust. Now, the bodies will start turning up as the higher ups eliminate those who were supposed to be able to safely move this load.

About 175 kilos of cocaine were found by units of the Judicial Investigation Department of the National Police, in a vehicle that was abandoned on the main road in the sector of La Verbena, in the village of Cristobal, Colon. The detectives in coordination with the Anti Drug Prosecutor's Office found seven sacks with the drugs in the back seat of the car. The seizure came after authorities received a tip about the presence of some strangers who left the area at high speed, in a gray vehicle with license plate number 689251. The drugs were turned over to the anti drug prosecutor, while the detectives are conducting their investigation to find the whereabouts of those responsible. (TVN)

Panama is third in the total amount of drug seizures, behind Colombia and the United States, responsible for 8% of all seizures according to a report presented today, Tuesday, 26 June 2012, on seizures, drug consumption and production in Central America. The document also said the most consumed drug worldwide is cannabis (marijuana) - used by 234 million people.

The report was presented at the Foreign Ministry and was attended by Public Security Minister, Jose Raul Mulino; Panama's Deputy Foreign Minister, Francisco Alvarez de Soto, and from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Armando Phillips. It was known there are 16 million drug addicts worldwide.

Editor's Comment: Panama is third overall? More seizures than Mexico? Really?

Officers of the State Border Service (SENAFRONT) from the Pacific Battalion stationed in Jaqué in the Darién seized 141 packages of presumed cocaine found hidden in the false bottom of a boat. The discovery was made ​​yesterday afternoon, where two Colombian citizens were involved, named Carlos Augusto Padilla and Cristian Javier Vente. It was learned their boat named the "Bruja" was seized at Playa Pitalito, reaching the border with Colombia in the province of the Darien, where the crew supposedly had some collaboration with some of the residents in Jaqué and Piña. The director of the SENAFRONT, Frank Abrego, said they will keep a constant vigilance in these border areas to ensure the welfare and peace of the peoples. The Anti Drug Prosecutor Javier Caraballo did not rule out the possibility of the participation of Mexicans in a number of murders in Panama that could also be related to drug trafficking. (TVN)

The Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ) said the executions of six people in Panama City a few weeks ago are linked to a theft of 500 kilos of cocaine in March, at the landing in Juan Diaz. The victims were Héctor Javier Castillo, Leoncio Pinto Castillo, Juan González, Luis Cadir Cerrud, Ángel Barría and another person who was not identified. (Critica)

Editor's Comment: In Panama they use the expression "tumbe de drogas" mostly to indicate the crime and theft between rival gangs of drug traffickers. It comes from the verb "tumbar" which means to knock down. So, it sort of feels like the English language expression "take down" or something like that. In Panama the drug traffickers and money launderers not only have to worry about law enforcement, legal authorities, and the possibility of getting busted. They are even more afraid of heavily armed rival gangs who would shoot them dead in order to steal the cocaine they are trafficking, or the money they are laundering. Much of the time, like in this case, the authorities are just following the trial of bodies around, cleaning up the mess, and trying to figure out who's doing what to whom.