The authorities of Panama intercepted a fishing vessel south of Punta Coco, on the Pacific coast, where they found 571 packages of alleged illicit substance hidden in 20 bundles. In the operation, three people traveling on the vessel were captured. The operation was coordinated between the Panamanian Public Prosecutor’s Office and units of the National Aeronaval Service (Senan), responsible for surveillance on maritime routes that are often used for international drug trafficking.
The apprehended individuals will be presented before a Guarantee Court, where the legality of the arrest, the formulation of charges, and the possible application of precautionary measures will be determined. The authorities did not specify the total weight of the drugs, although in similar seizures in Panama, the packages usually weigh approximately one kilogram, with cocaine being the most commonly found substance in these types of cases.
The Panamanian Public Prosecutor’s Office and the National Aeronaval Service coordinated the operation south of Punta Coco, a route used for international drug trafficking.
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The EFE agency reported that on May 26, Panamanian authorities seized a shipment of 1,096 packages of drugs in Pacific waters, near the border with Costa Rica, also in a joint operation between Senan agents and Panama’s anti-drug prosecutor’s office. These operations are part of institutional efforts to control the movement of illicit substances through Panamanian territory.
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Surveillance and recent seizure figures
According to official data released by the Attorney General’s Office, between January 1 and June 30, 2026, authorities managed to remove 47,040 tons of drugs from the illegal circuit. Of that total, 15,925 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride were detected in maritime containers. 69% of the seizure operations were carried out in port areas, which indicates that the Panamanian port network is a relevant point in the routes used for the transport of drugs to international markets, such as North America and Europe.
During the first six months of the year, 2,246 people were arrested for drug-related crimes. Of that total, 90.9% were men and 9.1% were women. In that same period, judicial authorities issued 1,652 convictions for drug trafficking and related offenses, which reflects the capacity of the Panamanian judicial system to carry cases through to their final resolution.
Three people were captured on the vessel and will be presented before a Guarantee Court in Panama.
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Regarding the territorial distribution of seizures, the province of Colón leads the national statistics for confiscations, followed by Panamá, Panamá Oeste, and Chiriquí. Cocaine accounts for nearly 60% of all illicit substances seized, while marijuana makes up about 39%. Other drugs have also been detected in smaller quantities, such as methamphetamines, THC, MDMA, and synthetic compounds.
The recorded behavior maintains the trend of recent years. In 2025, Panama seized 129 tons of drugs and 47.8 tons of chemical precursors, according to figures from the Public Ministry cited by EFE, which indicates a continuity in the controls and surveillance over the trafficking of illicit substances in the country. 571 packages of alleged drugs hidden in 20 bundles on a vessel.
Panama’s position, between South American producing countries and the large consumer markets of the northern hemisphere, determines the need to maintain constant vigilance at coasts, ports, airports, and borders. Recent actions are part of a joint effort between specialized prosecutor’s offices and security forces to prevent the country from being used as a corridor for drug trafficking.
