Panamanian authorities seize 1.3 tons of cocaine

By Dialogo
July 31, 2012

PANAMA CITY, Panama — Local authorities announced July 30 that they seized 1.3 tons of cocaine and detained four alleged drug traffickers in two recent operations around the country.
Panama’s National Aero-Naval Service (SENAN), a component of the Public Security Ministry that combines navy and air force operations, seized 846 kilograms (1,865 pounds) of cocaine in a boat sailing near the city of Colón, on the country’s Atlantic coast.
SENAN officials arrested two Hondurans who were in the boat and seized US$42,434 in cash. The suspects’ names were not made public.
In a second operation, authorities seized 521 kilograms (1,149 pounds) of cocaine at La Arenera beach, located east of Panama City, on the country’s Pacific coast.
Police arrested at the site a Colombian and a Panamanian, whose names were not released, and seized US$27,000 and three Colombian passports.
[AFP, 30/07/2012; Aeronaval.gob.pa (Panama), 30/07/2012]