16 persons, including port and customs workers, were captured in Panama by the authorities, in the context of an investigation into contamination of containers with drugs initiated in 2023.
Through a statement, the Panamanian National Police reported that “through the National Anti-Drug Directorate (DNA), in coordination with the Drug Prosecutor’s Office, carried out Operation Dársena Cero, which resulted in the apprehension of 16 persons allegedly linked to the seizure of more than five tons of cocaine and chemical precursors in operations carried out in the country’s port terminals”.
“Among the seizures, a container from El Salvador stands out, declared as an export of local coffee, which upon arriving in Panama was contaminated in one of the ports with 1,152 packages of alleged illicit substances in April 2025. The majority of these shipments had European countries as their final destination”, explained the police force.
“Among those apprehended are two officials from the National Customs Authority and several port workers, related to investigations initiated in the year 2023, which allowed the dismantling of criminal networks dedicated to international drug trafficking through port facilities”, stated the police.
“The National Police reaffirms its commitment to continue developing operational actions to weaken criminal organizations dedicated to the international trafficking of illicit substances, which use ports and maritime routes within the national territory”, they emphasized at the institution.
