The court legalized the capture of 59 citizens, while one of the detainees was released due to his apprehension being declared illegal. Thus, the judge formalized the charges against the majority of those accused. According to the prosecution, the investigation points to a structure that operated inside and around Tocumen International Airport, taking advantage of the participation of officials and employees of contracting companies. Authorities maintain that these individuals facilitated the entry of merchandise and its subsequent placement in suitcases that left the country. The drug arrived in Panama via multiple routes: by sea from Colombia to points such as Veracruz, Juan Hombrón, The Pearl Islands, and Juan Díaz, as well as backpackers who introduced it through the Darién jungle. This detail, although anecdotal, reflected the pressure the group faced when the police cordon tightened. With the precautionary measures already set, the case now moves to the next stage, where the individual responsibility of each defendant within this network will be determined, which, according to the prosecution, had been operating silently from the country's main airport terminal for some time. These agreements established sanctions ranging from 60 to 180 months in prison, depending on the role played by each accused. The court also reviewed the situation of the detained individuals. The final step was to place it among the other suitcases and change the labels before it entered the plane, so that it was registered as common luggage. During the operation, the nervous reaction of one of the individuals involved was recorded, who expressed his fear with a spontaneous phrase when he was reached by the authorities. There, a gardener received it and hid it in the area. Later, cleaning staff took it out and moved it inside. A guarantees judge ordered provisional detention for 39 people of the 51 accused of conspiracy and their alleged participation in an operation dedicated to international drug trafficking. The decision was made after several days of hearings, a process that extended from the afternoon of November 13 until 1:00 p.m. today, November 21. During the proceeding, 21 plea agreements presented by the Public Ministry and the defenses were confirmed. Once in the country, the operation was moved to the airport. One of the methods described by the investigators consisted of transporting a 25-kilogram suitcase of cocaine to the side fences of the terminal.
