Executive Summary
- Panamanian authorities seized nearly 12 tons of cocaine from a vessel in the Pacific Ocean.
- The operation, which took place near the Pearl Islands, resulted in the arrest of 10 crew members.
- The shipment originated in Colombia and was destined for Mexico and the United States.
- This seizure is one of the largest in Panama’s history and highlights the country’s role as a key drug transit route.
Panamanian authorities have seized nearly 12 tons of cocaine from a vessel in the Pacific Ocean, marking one of the nation’s most significant drug interdictions in recent years. The operation resulted in the arrest of 10 crew members aboard the ship, which was reportedly en route from Colombia toward Mexico and the United States.
The seizure occurred near San Miguel Island in the Pearl Islands archipelago. According to anti-drug prosecutor Julio Villarreal, the confiscation is a historic achievement and the largest single-operation bust since 2007. The detained crew members are nationals of Venezuela, Ecuador, and Nicaragua.
Panama is a primary transit point for narcotics produced in South America, particularly Colombia, destined for the United States, which is considered the world’s largest market for the drug. U.S. government sources estimate that approximately 90 percent of cocaine entering its borders transits through the Central American corridor.
This operation adds to Panama’s increasing drug confiscation totals, which reached 124 tons in 2024, up from 119 tons the previous year. Officials have also noted a rise in seizures at Caribbean ports, with growing volumes of narcotics being shipped to European markets.
The investigation is ongoing to trace the cocaine’s supply chain. The arrested individuals are now facing prosecution. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.