The manager of Tocumen, José Ruiz Blanco, indicated that this pattern generated an increase in cases where airlines could not identify reported luggage, which alerted the administration.
According to the manager, this operation required the participation of several people inside and outside the airport and coordination at different points, including camera areas and internal spaces.
At that moment, apparently airport personnel, coordinated with external individuals, would bring in a suitcase with drugs — the 'pregnant suitcase' —, remove the passenger's original suitcase, and switch the tag, so that the illicit suitcase would travel under the passenger's registration, while the real suitcase never left Panama.
At the destination, the passenger would arrive without their luggage and could not track it, because the tag associated with their suitcase was missing.
Ruiz Blanco was clear that the traveler can do nothing to prevent this: 'The passenger cannot do absolutely anything; it is up to the airport and the authorities to get their house in order.'
Tocumen reinforced the presence of the SENAN, increased controls, and launched a security logistics center that brings together all entities in charge of surveillance and supervision within the airport.
He pointed out that it was a structure that had been operating for some time and that the airport cannot disclose details while the investigation is still active.
For the passenger, the main impact was the loss of luggage with no possibility of tracking, a scenario that is not common in regular operations.
The statements from Tocumen's manager, José Ruiz Blanco, clarified how a network operated by changing luggage tags inside the airport to substitute legitimate suitcases with others containing illicit substances.
This week, this case came to light, leading to the apprehension of a network.
The suitcase with drugs was picked up by a network member at the destination airport.
The investigation is in the hands of the Public Ministry, which will determine how many people are linked, but the manager confirmed the involvement of officials and former officials of the airport terminal.
Ruiz Blanco explained that a traveler would register their luggage in a regular manner, usually on routes to Europe.
The manager indicated that there are other measures in effect that cannot be disclosed for now.
