A criminal network made up of nationals and foreigners was dismantled this morning through Operation Equines carried out by the Public Ministry, the National Police and the National Aeronaval Service, in the provinces of Panama, Panama West and Coclé, in search of people allegedly linked drug-related crimes and money laundering.
There are 26 people apprehended, among them are aliases “Baby” and aliases “Reloj”, it was also possible to seize 4 firearms, two of these with permits, 8 suppliers and 41 firearms ammunition; as well as the amount of 1,419.50 in cash. While, during the investigation, the seizure of 7,661 packages of illegal substances was achieved.
According to the investigations carried out by the Drug Prosecutor’s Office, this criminal group’s modus operandi is the coordination of logistics through meetings and conspiracy to receive, store and guard drug shipments from Colombia and that arrive in the province of Panama and Coclé by speedboats. It was possible to determine that the drug coming from Colombia was also transported in vehicles with alterations to their structure (double bottom).
The Equinos operation included twenty-four simultaneous raids and searches at the residences of these people, who are being investigated by the Prosecutor for Drug-Related Crimes since January 2022 for trafficking in illicit substances and related crimes, operating mainly in the provinces of Panama and Cocle.
Those apprehended and the evidence collected are forwarded for due processing.
