Panama Seizes Record 13 Tons of Cocaine at Sea

Panama City, Panama — The government of Panama has reported a historic seizure of 13,508 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated value of 200 million dollars, which was found on a tugboat intercepted in Pacific waters. The vessel had departed from Colombia and was headed toward North America, according to authorities.

During the operation, ten individuals of Venezuelan, Ecuadorian, Nicaraguan, and Colombian nationalities were captured. The detainees have been placed at the disposal of the authorities to face charges for international drug trafficking.

The director of the National Aeronaval Service (Senan), Luis De Gracia, described the operation as "historic," highlighting that, unlike most maritime seizures, the drugs were in plain view on the vessel, rather than being hidden in containers.

The interception took place southeast of the island of San José, after the vessel attempted to evade officers. According to intelligence reports, the boat had set sail from the region of Jurado, Buenaventura, in Colombia, with a destination of Mexico, which indicated a route with a possible arrival in the United States, explained the senior drug prosecutor, Julio Villarreal.

In total, 11,562 packages of presumed cocaine were confiscated, organized into 579 bundles, totaling 13,508.52 kilograms. This represents the largest seizure of its kind recorded in Panama since 2008, according to the Senan.

Both De Gracia and Prosecutor Villarreal agreed that this blow to international drug trafficking evidences Panama's capacity to combat organized crime and strengthen regional security. The country, considered a key transit territory for drugs heading to the United States and Europe, had seized approximately 80 tons of illicit substances in 2024, according to official records.