Panama Has Seized 6.4 Tons of Illicit Drugs So Far in 2016

PANAMA CITY – Panamanian authorities have seized 6.4 tons of drugs and arrested 72 alleged drug traffickers so far this year, the Public Safety Ministry reported Sunday.

The suspects belong to four bands using shell companies in small towns around Panama City, namely Juan Diaz, Parque Lefevre, Betania and Rio Abajo, “where they warehoused large shipments of drugs, to send them later to Central America, the United States and the Caribbean,” the ministry said in a statement.

The arrests and seizures were made in 30 anti-drug operations in the provinces of Panama Oeste, Colon, Veraguas and Chiriqui.

The National Police seized 3,368 kilograms of drugs and more than a million dollars in cash, and the Senan air-sea service seized 2,750 kg of narcotics and other drugs.

Meanwhile, the National Border Service seized 253 kg of cocaine and 39 packages of marijuana.

Of the total seizures, 4.5 tons consisted of cocaine and at least 1.3 tons consisted of pot.

Official figures reveal that 2015 was the biggest year in the past decade for drug seizures in Panama, with at least 58.1 tons confiscated, according to the latest government tally.