Reporting on criminal incidents, investigations, and law enforcement responses across Panama. Stories focus on facts, community impact, and safety developments.
A former Sinaloa security chief has been arrested in the United States and transferred to New York over alleged cartel ties. The case highlights the cross-border reach of organized crime investigations.
Panamanian authorities arrested a fugitive accused in the 1993 killing of punk singer Mia Zapata, ending a decades-long manhunt. The case remains one of the best-known crimes in American punk history.
Two refrigeration technicians were sent to provisional detention after authorities seized more than 42 kilos of cocaine in a container in Panama. The case highlights ongoing drug trafficking risks at the country’s ports.
Panama authorities detained Richard Werstine in Panama City, ending a 30-year manhunt tied to the 1993 killing of Detroit punk vocalist Rodney Barger. His arrest came after biometric checks confirmed his identity and active U.S. warrants.
Firefighters in Panama say the Bridge of the Americas fire was likely caused by human error, prompting renewed warnings about phone use near fuel vapors. Authorities are urging stricter caution in gas stations and other flammable areas.
A jewelry store on 5 de Mayo in Panama City was damaged in a suspicious fire after a recent attempted robbery. The owner says she received an early-morning alert and found severe damage inside the business.
Staff were removed after an investigation into the death of a spider monkey at a veterinary clinic in Panama. The case points to the dangers of illegal wildlife possession and prolonged human contact.
Two people were killed and several others injured when a pickup truck overturned in Tonosí, Los Santos. The crash highlights persistent road safety risks on Panama’s rural highways.
Firefighters say the blaze under the Bridge of the Americas was caused by human error during fuel handling. The incident killed one person, injured two firefighters, and temporarily shut down a key Panama route.
Panama has increased police patrols and installed cameras along the Corredor Norte after repeated nighttime thefts, robberies, and vandalism. The move aims to deter crime and improve safety on a key Panama City highway.
A 15-year-old boy was shot dead in Sabanitas, Colón, adding to the ongoing wave of violence in the province. The killing has renewed concern over public safety in the area.
A 15-year-old boy was killed while getting a haircut in Colón, fueling concern after several recent violent deaths involving minors in the province. The case has deepened fears about youth safety in the community.
Police detained 12 people after they entered a private home in Chame without permission and used the pool. The case involves residents from La Chorrera and Arraiján.
Panama’s Ministry of Public Security has explained how people can request CONC5 surveillance footage for use in a complaint. The guidance highlights the role of video evidence in public safety and investigations.
Seven people were arrested in Colón during Operation Mármol, including a suspected homicide case. Police also seized illegal substances as part of the sweep.
Panamanian security forces detained a man in Operation Dolus over an alleged embezzlement case involving CONADES. The move highlights continued anti-corruption enforcement in Panama.
A man accused in the killing of a punk singer has been arrested in Panama after more than 30 years on the run. The case highlights Panama’s role in international fugitive arrests and longstanding cross-border investigations.
A Panamanian judge rejected a one-year extension of the investigation into Suntracs leaders over the Red Frog case in Bocas del Toro. The probe involves alleged fraud, forgery, and money laundering tied to 14 properties linked to a labor dispute.
Police in Panama City arrested another man suspected in the March killing of a merchant in Herrera province. The case continues to move forward as investigators pursue those believed involved.
Twelve people are on trial in Panama over the 2019 La Joyita prison massacre, which left 13 inmates dead and 11 wounded. The case has revived scrutiny of the country’s penitentiary system.
