By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Yesterday the US Department of State released the 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report. You can download the entire report if you would like to see it (Volume I and Volume II.) As one might expect, Panama figures prominently in both the introduction and body of the report. Panama is identified as "a major drug-transit country" as being one "through which ... illicit narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances significantly affecting the United States ... are transported." Panama is also identified as a "Major Money Laundering" country, being defined by statues as a country whose financial institutions engage in currency transactions involving significant amounts of proceeds from international narcotics trafficking. (more)
Funding From the United States: In 2007 Panama received $4 million dollars in financial aid from the United States to help fight drug trafficking. In 2008 that amount dropped to $992,000 dollars, and in 2009 another $1 million has been budgeted by the US State Department.
Arrested in Panama: From the report - "October 9, 2008, William Tamamayo-Hernandez was arrested by Panamanian Police in coordination with DEA in the Republic of Panama. Tamamayo-Hernandez was one of the primary leaders of an assassination cell for CPOT Juan Carlos Ramirez-Abadias and his DTO. On August 12, 2008, Tamamayo-Hernandez was indicted in the Eastern District of New York for multiple counts of murder, conspiracy to import cocaine, and international drug conspiracy."
"Operation Panama Express" "Operation Panama Express. Operation Panama Express is a joint operation designed to disrupt and dismantle major maritime drug smuggling organizations operating from the Pacific andCaribbean coasts of Colombia. The operation is conducted by DEA and several other federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, including the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force. Between 2000 through December 2008, as the result of Operation Panama Express, 576 metric tons ofcocaine has been seized, 208 metric tons of cocaine has been destroyed when vessels carrying these illicit drugs were scuttled by their crews to avoid capture or when the boats were sunk by law enforcement, and 1,676 individuals have been arrested. During the 4th Quarter of 2008 alone,Operation Panama Express strike force effected 15 interdictions, to include two self-propelled semi-submersible vessels, resulting in the arrest of 60 individuals, and seizure of 99 kilograms of heroin and 27,989 kilograms of cocaine."
Operation Windjammer On May 19, 2005, based on information provided by DEA Cartagena and DEA Kingston, a priority target Investigation was initiated against a multi-ton, Jamaica-based, cocaine trafficker multi-ton quantities of cocaine to the U.S. and Europe via Panama and Mexico. On January 3, 2006, a two-count indictment was handed down by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that the target, his father, and five co-conspirators were conspiring to transport cocaine into the U.S. In support of Operation Windjammer, the DEA Kingston CO played a significant role in obtaining vital evidence that was utilized to implicate the target in a conspiracy to transship cocaine into the U.S. As evidenced by this indictment, Operation Windjammer was tailored to assist DEA, via host nation counterparts, in pursuing Priority Target and/or significant narcotics traffickers impacting the U.S. via Jamaica. Cumulative statistics through December 2008, resulting from the success of Operation Windjammer include the seizure of 281.6 pounds of hashish oil, 26.80 tons of marijuana, 160.7 kilograms of cocaine, $31,910 in U.S. currency, and 24 arrests.
Trilateral Maritime Counter Drug Summits The third and fourth regular Trilateral Maritime Counter Drug Summits involving the U.S., Ecuador and Colombia, were held in Cartagena and Key West respectively during 2008. This year, the summits were expanded to include participation from Panama and Mexico. Results of these meetings include significant improvements in information exchange and operational coordination that have enhanced our collective ability to combat narcotics smuggling.
US Customs and Border Protection Attaché In Panama, the CBP Attaché works with Panamanian Immigration and Customs and other counterparts to identify and interdict travelers in possession of fraudulent documents, contraband or those engaged in narcotics and bulk cash smuggling. The CBP Attaché working with CBPOperation Wingclip in Miami and the National Targeting Center (NTC) has been able to support seizures of substantial amounts of smuggled and undeclared money and checks and financial instruments connected to businesses suspected of laundering proceeds of narcotics trafficking inthe Colon Free Trade Zone. Many of these seizures form the basis for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), JTTF and other criminal investigations in the United States.
Operation Wingclip Activities with Operation Wingclip, CBP Miami and the Defense Attaché Office resulted in the dismantling of a money laundering ring operating between Bolivia, Panama and the United Statesthat was believed to be laundering narcotics proceeds. This resulted in the seizure of over $100,000 in checks and cash and the interdiction of the perpetrator by CBP MiamI. In August 2008 CBP provided 20 Panamanian Customs Officers with formal border security training in the interdiction of narcotics and other contraband cargo through targeting and risk management. CBP has also embedded Border Patrol Agents and CBP Officers with Panamanian Officers atCheckpoints to provide operational assistance in the interdiction of narcotics, illegal immigrants, and contraband.
Chemical Controls In 2008, OAS/CICAD held several specialized training seminars aimed at building member state capacity to control chemicals that may be used in the production of illicit drugs and providing lawenforcement officers with the knowledge, skills, and resources to safely and effectively conduct chemical control operations. The U.S. supported a five-day workshop on interdiction, handling, transport, storage, and final disposal of chemical substances in coordination with the NationalNarcotics Directorate of Panama for 50 Panamanian public and private sector authorities. The U.S. also supported a five-day regional synthetic drugs control workshop in Colombia in collaboration with the French governments Inter-Ministerial Center for Counterdrug Training (CIFAD) for 30 customs and police officers from Central America and Colombia.
Ship Boarding A Maritime Ship Boarding Agreement signed in 1997 continued to be successfully used by the GOC and USG. This agreement facilitates faster approval to board Colombian-flagged ships in international waters and has improved counternarcotics cooperation between the Colombian Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Since 2006, semiannual meetings have been held to iron out problems and strengthen operating procedures. In 2007, the meeting was expanded to include Ecuador, and in 2008 both Panama and Mexico participated.
Panama's Fingerprints On Global Drug Trafficking In August 2008, under the Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) arrangement with the Royal Dutch Navy, a U.S Coast Guard LEDET deployed aboard a Royal Dutch Navy vessel boarded a Panamanian freighter and seized 4,200 kilos of cocaine. The freighter was sailing from Venezuela to Europe.
The Panama Country Report: What follows is the entire section taken from the US State Department Report on the country of Panama;
- Panama
- I. Summary
- By virtue of its geographic position and well-developed maritime and transportation infrastructure, Panama is a major logistics control and trans-shipment country for illegal drugs to the United States and Europe. Major Colombian andMexican drug cartels as well as Colombian illegal armed groups use Panama for drug trafficking and moneylaundering purposes. The Torrijos Administration has cooperated vigorously with the U.S. on counternarcoticsoperations. In 2008, seizure levels remained very high with 53 metric tons (MT) of cocaine having been seized. U.S.support to Panama's counternarcotics efforts, including developing an effective community policing model to helpcontrol a nascent gang problem, is crucial to ensure fulfillment of agency missions. Panama is a party to the 1988United Nations Drug Convention.
- II. Status of Country
- Panama's geographic proximity to the South American cocaine and heroin producing countries makes it an important transshipment point for narcotics destined for the U.S. and other global markets. Panama's four major containerized seaports, the Pan-American Highway, a rapidly growing international hub airport (Tocumen), numerous uncontrolled airfields, and relatively unguarded Atlantic and Pacific coastlines all facilitate drug movement. Smuggling of weapons and drugs continues to take place, particularly between Colombia and the isolated Darien region, the Azuero peninsula and the sparsely populated Caribbean coastal areas. The flow of illicit drugs has contributed to increasing domestic drug abuse and gang violence, and Panamanian authorities attributed the majority of murders to revenge killings between traffickers. Panama is not a significant producer of drugs or precursor chemicals. Limited amounts of cannabis are cultivated for local consumption.
- III. Country Actions against Drugs in 2008
- Policy Initiatives. The Torrijos Administration is strongly committed to counternarcotics and anti-crime cooperationwith the United States. Panama participated in the U.S.-Central American Integration System (SICA) securitydialogue. In 2008, Panama passed a law reforming the criminal system from a written (inquisitorial) system to alargely oral (accusatorial) system, which will be implemented over several years. The GOP merged the National AirService (SAN) and the National Maritime Service (SMN) into a unified Coast Guard-type service to be called theNational Aero-Naval Service (SENAN). The merger became official on 22 November and will require substantialinvestment by the GOP to become fully operational. The GOP also separated the frontier police from the NationalPolice (PNP), creating an independent National Frontier Service (SENAFRONT). Early in 2008, another reformfolded the Technical Judicial Police (PTJ) into the National Police Investigative Division, creating the new Division ofJudicial Investigations (DIJ). A separate intelligence directorate known as the Police Intelligence Division (DIP) still remains and performs a separate function under the PNP. Forensic investigation responsibilities remained with the Public Ministry and Attorney Generals office. In 2008, Panama, for a second straight year, carried out a successfultable-top exercise (Panamax Alpha) to address asymmetrical threats to the Panama Canal.
- Accomplishments. Panama seized 53 metric tons (MT) of drugs in 2008, including 51 MT of cocaine and 2 MT ofmarijuana. While this is lower than 2007 levels, last years numbers include one 20-ton seizure made by the USCG ona case developed in Panama. Police also seized over $3 million in cash linked to drug trafficking and confiscated $1.5million from 42 bank accounts. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-monitored statistics for 2008 also indicate seizures of 17 kg of heroin, and 126 arrests for international drug-related offenses.
- Law Enforcement Efforts. Several USG-supported Government of Panama (GOP) vetted units were fortified with equipment and increased personnel in 2008. The newly-created SENAN cooperates with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)requests for ship registry data and provides officers to serve aboard USCG cutters as ship riders, allowing the USCGto patrol Panamanian waters. The SENAN also provides excellent support for counternarcotics operations within itslimited means, including patrolling and photographing suspect areas, and identifying suspect aircraft. In 2008, under the bilateral agreement with Panama, the U.S. Coast Guard was able to remove over 5.8 metric tons of cocaine from Panamanian flagged vessels. Counterdrug cooperation with Panama has been solid and remains vital to ensuringcontinued success. In 2008, the Government of Panama staffed the U.S.-funded Guabala checkpoint (inaugurated inearly 2006) on the Pan-American Highway, and the national police deployed mobile road blocks throughout the country targeting land based movements of drugs.
- Corruption. The Government of Panama does not, as a matter of government policy, encourage or facilitate illicitdrug production or distribution, nor is it involved in laundering the proceeds of the sale of illicit drugs. President Torrijos's administration, through its National Anti-Corruption Commission, which is charged with coordinating thegovernment's anti-corruption activities, continued to audit government accounts and launch public corruptioninvestigations. Several government ministries established transparent, automated procedures to minimize opportunities for corruption (e.g., for registering a business, or preparing a shipment for export). Despite the Torrijos administration's public stance on corruption, few high-profile cases, particularly involving political or business elites, have been acted upon.
- A USG-funded "Culture of Lawfulness" program, designed to encourage officers to fight against corruption within the police, has produced 10 trainers within the National Police and will continue to train officers in 2009. This program is being combined with an aggressive effort to implement a community policing program with the PNP.
- Agreements and Treaties. Panama is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1961 UN Single Convention onNarcotics Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Amutual legal assistance treaty and an extradition treaty are in force between the U.S. and Panama, although theConstitution does not permit extradition of Panamanian nationals. In 2008, Panama surrendered nine fugitives to theUnited States; seven of them were for narcotics charges. A Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement and a stolenvehicles treaty are also in force. In 2002, the USG and GOP concluded a comprehensive maritime interdictionagreement. Panama has bilateral agreements on drug trafficking with the United Kingdom, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba,and Peru. Panama is a party to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three protocols andto the UN Convention against Corruption. Panama is a member of the Organization of American States (OAS) and is a party to the Inter-American Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and the Inter-AmericanConvention Against Corruption. Panama is an active participant in the U.S.-SICA (Integrated System for CentralAmerica) security dialogue.
- Cultivation and Production. Limited cannabis cultivation, principally for domestic consumption, exists in Panama,particularly in the Pearl Islands.
- Drug Flow/Transit. Panama remains an important hub for the transit and distribution of South American cocaine andheroin. Drugs are moved in fishing vessels, cargo ships, small aircraft, and go-fast boats. Drug-smuggling aircraftutilize hundreds of abandoned or unmonitored legal airstrips for refueling, pickups, and deliveries. Panamas coastlines are used to store drugs for continued shipment towards Mexico and to store fuel and supplies for go-fast boats making the runs. Couriers transiting Panama by commercial air flights also moved cocaine and heroin to theU.S. and Europe during 2008.
- Domestic Programs/Demand Reduction. Various programs have U.S. sponsorship such as DARE programs for the Panama National Police, Youth Crime Watch for the Roberto Boutet Foundation, Young People Building a BetterWorld for the White Cross Foundation and an Integral Prevention Education Program for the Pride Foundation.
- IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs
- Policy Initiatives. USG-supported programs focus on improving Panama's ability to intercept, investigate, andprosecute illegal drug trafficking and other transnational crimes; strengthening Panama's judicial system; improvingPanama's border security; and ensuring strict enforcement of existing laws. The Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS),Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) and USCG provided resources formodernization and upkeep of SMN and PNP vessels and bases, and assisted the newly-created SENAN with trainingpersonnel and maintaining key aircraft for interdiction efforts. In 2008, the USG provided training and operationalequipment and support to the multi-agency Tocumen Airport Drug Interdiction Law Enforcement Team. NAScoordinated training for the DEA and ICE vetted units, as well as the quick response motorcycle team (lynx unit) inTactical Law Enforcement procedures, internal affairs and Anti-Corruption investigations and crowd controlprocedures.
- NAS and CBP continue to organize operational evaluation teams of Border Patrol Agents who work in the border areaswith National Police. NAS continued to develop a major law enforcement modernization project with the PNP todevelop its police leadership and implement community-based policing procedures. The program focuses on manypillars including proven community policing tactics, expansion of existing crime analysis technology, and promotion of managerial change to allow greater autonomy and accountability. NAS provision of computers, office equipment, and other operational equipment will help the counternarcotics units achieve their goals.
- Bilateral Cooperation. In 2008, the Torrijos Administration continued to sustain joint counternarcotics efforts withDEA and USCG, and worked to strengthen national law enforcement institutions with assistance from NAS. Maritimecooperation continued to be excellent. The U.S. Coast Guard provided training to SMN and APC personnel on waterside port security, maritime law enforcement, and port security-vulnerability assessments.
- The Road Ahead. The USG encourages Panama to devote sufficient resources to enable its forces to patrol landborders along Colombia and Costa Rica, its coastline, and the adjacent sea-lanes, and to increase the number of arrests and prosecutions of major violators, especially in the areas of corruption and money laundering. The USG willcontinue to offer the GOP expertise and resources to strengthen Panamas ability to safeguard its citizens, confront drug traffickers, and ensure that law enforcement efforts are anchored in democracy. The USG will also continue to support law enforcement modernization through improved equipment, maintenance, strategic planning,decentralization of decision making, and community-oriented policing philosophies.
- For its part, the USG will provide significant support in the coming year under the Merida Initiativea partnershipbetween the governments of the United States, Mexico, Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic toconfront the violent national and transnational gangs and organized criminal and narcotics trafficking organizationsthat plague the entire region, the activities of which spill over into the United States. The Merida Initiative will fund avariety of programs that will strengthen the institutional capabilities of participating governments by supporting effortsto investigate, sanction and prevent corruption within law enforcement agencies; facilitating the transfer of critical lawenforcement investigative information within and between regional governments; and funding equipment purchases,training, community policing and economic and social development programs. Bilateral agreements with theparticipating governments were in the process of being negotiated and signed at the time this report was prepared.
By Denise Lara for Telemetro Reporta - Four people were arrested and more than $400,000 was seized in a joint operation conducted by the Direction of Judicial Investigation (DIJ) working together with the office of the First Anti Drug Prosecutor. After the DIJ received information on an upcoming cash payment of a very large sum of laundered drug money, they activated an operation called "Costeños" which resulted in the arrests of Manuel Alberto Cabeza and Carlos Alberto Cabeza at the intersection of Via Brazil and Via Israel. Both were traveling in a pick-up with license plate number 861837 in which they were transporting part of the money. The operation then moved to El Cangrejo, where in a building called Le Baron II Colombian Lina María Marmolejo was arrested with a large sum of money in her possession. The other person arrested was Colombian Hermes Cárdenas Orozco, who was found in the Multiplaza shopping mall. In total, the operation resulted in the seizure of $430,140 dollars.
By Meredith Serracín for the Panama America - After a surveillance operation police officers from the Direction of Judicial Investigation (DIJ) and the National Police arrested five people, among them one woman, who were traveling in three vehicles. Police inspected the first vehicle on Calle 62 in El Carmen, a black Toyota Corolla, and inside they discovered 42 kilos of cocaine in two suitcases. At press time they were still inspecting the other two vehicles and an apartment in the Buenaventura building located in the area.
