Reporting on criminal incidents, investigations, and law enforcement responses across Panama. Stories focus on facts, community impact, and safety developments.
A deadly crash in Costa Verde, La Chorrera, left one person dead and several injured, while two lanes remained occupied and traffic slowed sharply. The collision caused major congestion on one of the area’s key roadways.
Panama’s Civil Aeronautics Authority confirmed that a Panamanian-registered Beechcraft crashed off Fort Pierce, Florida, after leaving Panama City in 2025. Ten people were rescued and three were injured, while Panama opened an internal audit into maintenance and crew certifications.
Panama’s Public Ministry says the country has recorded 214 homicide victims so far this year, with many cases tied to gangs and drug trafficking. The figure keeps public security and organized crime at the center of national concern.
Richard Werstine, a fugitive accused in a Michigan rock singer’s killing, was arrested in Panama after evading capture for 30 years. The case highlights Panama’s role in international law enforcement cooperation.
Panamanian authorities say a drug network used customs insiders and port workers to contaminate containers with cocaine for shipment through key Pacific and Atlantic ports. The case underscores Panama’s vulnerability as a major transshipment hub.
Panama’s child protection authority warned that sharing videos of minors in vulnerable situations can trigger sanctions and violate a child’s privacy. The reminder highlights growing concern over harmful content spreading quickly on social media.
Panamanian authorities are investigating a network accused of diverting more than $1 million through a fictitious company. The suspects will appear before a guarantees judge for review of their arrests.
Customs officials at Paso Canoas seized national team jerseys and turned the merchandise over to the Customs Intellectual Property Directorate. The move highlights Panama’s border enforcement against potentially unauthorized branded goods.
inDrive has activated a new safety tool in Panama and deepened coordination with the National Police to improve real-time security in mobility services. The move reflects growing emphasis on safer digital transport in urban areas.
A trial has opened over the 2019 La Joyita prison massacre, with prosecutors linking the deadly attack to a Bagdad gang order and a rival faction dispute. The case highlights Panama’s ongoing prison security crisis and the wider violence tied to organized crime.
A man died after being struck while crossing the Arraiján–La Chorrera Highway early Tuesday. A woman was injured and taken to Nicolás A. Solano Hospital.
Panamanian authorities arrested 16 people in a suspected network that contaminated shipping containers with illicit substances. The case highlights the risks facing the country’s ports and logistics system.
Nine vehicles collided on Vía Centenario near the Arraijancito bridge, causing traffic delays toward Arraiján. No injuries were reported.
A multiple-vehicle crash on Vía Centenario caused heavy traffic toward La Chorrera, though authorities confirmed there were no fatalities. The incident disrupted one of Panama’s busiest commuter corridors.
Panama Customs seized counterfeit national team jerseys in Chiriquí, targeting illegal merchandise tied to La Selección. The case underscores the country’s ongoing efforts to curb counterfeit sales and protect intellectual property.
A person died after being hit by a vehicle in Arraiján, prompting a response from the Public Ministry and the start of an investigation. The crash adds to ongoing road safety concerns in Panama Oeste.
Jorge Rubén Camargo Clarke, alias “Cholo Chorrillo,” has been linked to gang activity, money laundering, a prison massacre probe, and international drug trafficking cases in Panama and the United States. His legal history spans more than a decade of investigations, convictions, and extradition.
Police chief Jaime Fernández said more than 10 people were detained in a case tied to contaminated containers and a crime on Avenida Domingo Díaz. The arrests highlight concerns over cargo security and public safety in Panama City.
A trial has begun over the 2019 La Joyita prison massacre, with prosecutors saying an alleged order from gang leader Cholo Chorrillo may have triggered the attack. The case involves 12 defendants accused in the deaths of 13 inmates and injuries to 11 others.
The dean of UNACHI’s Faculty of Medicine will remain suspended while prosecutors investigate alleged embezzlement tied to overlapping jobs and double salary payments. The case covers conduct reportedly spanning 2017 to 2022.