The president stated that this is being investigated by the corresponding authorities. In turn, Luis Alberto Roquebert, administrator of the Maritime Authority of Panama (AMP), explained that the Oceanic Top was registered under the Panamanian flag in 2022, after being acquired in the United States. However, in May 2024, the ship was sold and registered under the flag of Tanzania, which meant it was no longer under the direct jurisdiction of the AMP. In September 2025, the vessel attempted to resume operations in Panama by applying for a license for fuel supply activities. However, the application was rejected as the vessel did not meet the necessary requirements. The Oceanic Top left the country in early October, and it was shortly after that it became known that the vessel had been seized with drugs. The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, confirmed that an investigation is underway into the possible involvement of a member of the Maritime Chamber of Panama with the Oceanic Top vessel, which was recently seized with more than 13 tons of alleged cocaine. In statements to the press, Mulino explained that the case is already being handled by the Attorney General of the Nation, Luis Gómez, who, along with the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ) and the National Police, is carrying out the relevant investigations. "When that ship left, I think it was in early October of this year, we no longer had direct responsibility over it, as it was sailing under the Tanzanian flag," Roquebert explained. The AMP administrator also noted that the entity has fully collaborated with the Public Ministry, providing all the necessary documentation and information to clarify the facts.
