Panamanian authorities have dealt a historic blow to drug trafficking by seizing 13,508 kilograms of cocaine valued at over 200 million dollars from a tugboat intercepted in Panamanian Pacific waters. The vessel was heading to North America from Colombia. During the operation conducted on Monday, 10 individuals of Venezuelan, Ecuadorian, Nicaraguan, and Colombian nationality were captured and have been handed over to the relevant authorities for international drug trafficking. Commander Luis De Gracia, director of the National Aeronaval Service (Senan), stated that this seizure is 'historic in terms of operations' carried out by the institution and represents the largest confiscation in Panama since 2008. The vessel was located southeast of San José Island in the Pacific after attempting to evade authorities. According to intelligence, the boat had departed from the Juradó area, Buenaventura (Colombia), and was destined for Mexico, with a route to the United States. In total, 11,562 packages of cocaine were seized inside 579 bundles, totaling 13,508.52 kilograms of the drug. According to Senan, the substance was in plain sight, which is uncommon in these operations as drugs are typically hidden in containers. Both Senan and the Anti-Drug Prosecutor's Office classified the operation as 'a major blow to international drug trafficking', highlighting Panama's role as a key point in the fight against drug trafficking to the United States and Europe. In 2024 alone, Panama seized over 80 tons of illicit substances, according to official data.
