Reporting on criminal incidents, investigations, and law enforcement responses across Panama. Stories focus on facts, community impact, and safety developments.
Panama Customs intercepted a truck on the Panamá-Colón highway carrying 1,641 bales of suspected contraband cigarettes bound for Chiriquí. The cargo was valued at more than $1.3 million, with duties estimated at about $1.6 million.
Panama will relaunch its Arms for Food program at Plaza 5 de Mayo on Monday as authorities respond to rising violence tied to alleged criminal rivalries. The initiative seeks to reduce firearms in circulation by offering food in exchange for surrendered weapons.
Panama and Costa Rica are coordinating joint security strategies to combat cross-border crime in frontier areas including Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro. The effort underscores the importance of bilateral cooperation in border security.
A Panamanian civic foundation condemned Comptroller Anel Flores for intervening in an anti-corruption probe involving former Vice President Gaby Carrizo. The group said the move obstructed a key interview and undermined judicial independence.
A driver in Coclé was sanctioned after a citizen complaint on social media showed dangerous maneuvers that put minors at risk. The case highlights growing public pressure for road safety accountability in Panama.
Senafront has activated binational coordination with Costa Rica after a homicide near the border. Intelligence and joint operations are underway to locate those involved.
Police in Arraiján arrested three men after a ride-hailing driver was assaulted and her vehicle stolen in Bique. The case highlights growing safety concerns for platform drivers in the Panama metro area.
Panama’s National Bar Association condemned the Comptroller’s Office for entering an anticorruption investigative session, calling it a serious overreach. The dispute centers on a case involving former vice president José Gabriel Carrizo and the independence of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Panama’s Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation after an alleged interruption by Comptroller’s Office officials during an Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office proceeding. The case highlights ongoing tensions between oversight institutions and the enforcement of anti-corruption rules.
Panama investigators believe a spark and fuel vapors likely triggered the deadly fire under the Bridge of the Americas. Officials are now reviewing the old tank site, the bridge structure and broader fuel-storage safety concerns.
Panama City has been hit by a series of deadly shootings in neighborhoods including Juan Díaz and Río Abajo, with police linking the violence to drug turf disputes. Authorities also seized grenades and thousands of rounds of ammunition in a separate raid.
Panama prosecutors opened a criminal investigation after Comptroller General staff allegedly interrupted anti-corruption interviews tied to the Carrizo case. The former vice president is already facing charges for alleged unjust enrichment.
Police found a minor alone in an apartment during raids in Rio Abajo, Panama City. National Police Director Jaime Fernández said recent violence may be tied to criminal restructuring after major drug seizures.
Authorities uncovered more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition and grenades in Vacamonte, Panama Oeste, in a find that may be linked to criminal groups. The discovery highlights ongoing security concerns in one of the country’s fastest-growing districts.
Police raided Tierra Prometida and seized a rifle, four firearms and ammunition. In Río Abajo, local authorities suspended sports leagues as a precautionary security measure.
Panama’s Public Ministry is asking for help locating Rodolfo Díaz in connection with alleged corruption offenses. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has provided a contact number for anyone with information.
A Health Ministry worker was tied up and gagged during a robbery at offices in Colón, prompting a security overhaul at the site. Authorities also detained a suspect in connection with the case.
A fatal shooting in Santa Cruz has intensified concern over violence in Panama City. The killing inside a property adds to growing pressure for stronger security in the capital.
Panama’s Comptroller General warned the public to verify any document requesting sensitive data, amid concern over false requests aimed at politicians and business leaders.
Authorities seized high-caliber firearms during a security operation in Rio Abajo after a double homicide in the area. The move comes amid stepped-up police activity in Panama City’s corregimiento.