During the operations, several suspects were apprehended, some of whom were attempting to hide in wooded areas to evade authorities. The operations also led to the seizure of high-caliber weapons, magazines, bulletproof vests, a grenade, and several vehicles, which evidenced the magnitude of the criminal structure allegedly involved. The investigations have resulted in the detention of more than 20 individuals linked to the double homicide, against whom a guarantees judge has ordered provisional detention while the investigations proceed. The implicated individuals face charges for homicide, illegal possession of weapons, illicit association for criminal purposes, deprivation of liberty, and aggravated robbery. With this first conviction through a plea agreement, the Public Ministry takes an important step in the judicial process of one of the most criminal cases recorded in Azuero in recent years, while investigations against the rest of the alleged perpetrators continue. Panamanian justice has begun to hand down the first convictions for the violent double homicide recorded in 2024 in Guánico Abajo, district of Tonosí, province of Los Santos. The case shocked residents of the area when the discovery of two men shot dead became known. A 35-year-old citizen was sentenced to 297 months in prison (24 years and 9 months) after signing a plea agreement with the Public Ministry. The defendant pleaded guilty to the crime against life and personal integrity in the aggravated homicide modality, as well as the charge of illicit association for criminal purposes. This is the first conviction for this double crime, in which about 20 people are implicated. Both presented bullet impacts. Preliminary investigations pointed to the fact that the incident could be related to a supposed settling of accounts linked to drug trafficking, which activated a wide police and fiscal operation in the region. After the crime, the National Police and the Homicide and Femicide Prosecutor's Office of Los Santos deployed intensive operations in Guánico and nearby areas. The event dates back to the early morning of June 19, 2024, when residents of Guánico Abajo reported several firearm detonations. Hours later, authorities confirmed the discovery of the bodies of Juan Manuel González, known as 'Juanma', and Mario Frías Domínguez, alias 'Chu'.
