US and Panama Seize 13.5 Tons of Cocaine

The diplomatic delegation stated in a statement released in recent hours: «This extraordinary achievement highlights the close security cooperation between the United States and Panama, demonstrating the strong collaboration between Panamanian authorities and the DEA.» The ambassador added: «Solid relationships, like the one maintained with Panama, are essential to achieve this goal and ensure that criminal organizations do not find refuge in the region.» Panama is a transit country for drugs produced in South America destined for the United States—the world's largest consumer of cocaine—and Europe. In Panama City, Kevin Marino Cabrera praised Panamanian authorities for this «one-day operation,» which dealt a «strong blow to the criminal networks that profit from drug trafficking and endanger communities throughout our hemisphere.» Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino confirmed yesterday that a businessman and executive of the Panamanian Maritime Chamber, who was removed from his post, is being investigated for his alleged involvement with the shipment. According to information released last Tuesday by the National Aeronaval Service (Senan), the shipment consisted of «579 bales containing 11,562 packages of illicit substance.» The U.S. official note highlighted that this «is equivalent to 10% of the usual annual seizures made by the United States and Panama in Panama.» The ocean-going tugboat was intercepted in the Pearl Islands Archipelago as it was sailing from Colombia to North America, and its ten crew members, nationals of Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, are detained and charged with international drug trafficking, according to official information. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provided intelligence support for the operation that culminated in the seizure of 13.5 tons of cocaine found on a boat in the Pacific waters of Panama on November 9, the U.S. Embassy reported this Friday. «Under the Trump administration's leadership, defeating drug trafficking networks in the Western Hemisphere remains a fundamental priority to support regional stability and protect communities across the region.» According to official data, this Central American country seized around eighty tons of illicit substances in 2024.