Panama Intercepts 12 Tons of Cocaine in “Historic” Drug Bust
PANAMA CITY, Panama – Panamanian security forces have seized approximately 12,000 kilograms (12 tons) of cocaine in a maritime operation hailed as “historic” by the National Aeronaval Service (senan).The massive shipment was discovered monday on a tugboat intercepted in Pacific waters while en route to North America after departing from Colombia.
Ten crew members – one Venezuelan, four Ecuadorians, three Nicaraguans, one Peruvian, and one Colombian – were arrested and have been brought before the courts on international drug trafficking charges.
“This is a ’historic’ seizure in terms of operations carried out by the National Aeronaval Service,” stated Senan General Director Commander Luis De Gracia during a press conference in Panama City.
The vessel was located southeast of Isla San José, attempting to evade authorities. Senior drug prosecutor Julio Villarreal confirmed intelligence indicated the ship originated from the Juradó/Buenaventura region of Colombia and was destined for Mexico, “which obviously generates a route to the United States.”
Unlike typical drug smuggling operations where narcotics are concealed,De Gracia noted the 11,562 packages of suspected cocaine were visibly present on the boat.
Both De Gracia and Villarreal emphasized the seizure represents a important blow to international drug trafficking and underscores panama’s commitment to regional security and its role in combating the drug trade.
Panama remains a key transit country for narcotics originating in South America and bound for the United States and Europe. Authorities seized approximately 80 tons of drugs in Panama throughout 2024, according to official figures.
