From the Coasts of Chepo to Pedregal and then to Tocumen Airport: The Secret Drug Route

A criminal network smuggled drugs from Colombia through Tocumen International Airport in Panama, using the coasts of Chepo as an entry point. Drug Prosecutor Julio Campines revealed that Pedregal became the collection site for drugs arriving from Colombia, which were then transported to Tocumen International Airport for international smuggling. The network allegedly used a fuel transport company to move the drugs.

Campines detailed that some members of the organization used small boats to collect drugs transported by other vessels coming from Colombia. The drugs arrived in Darién, on the coasts of Chepo in the province of Panama, and on those of Juan Hombrón in the province of Coclé. The group also received narcotics in liquid form from Colombia, which were later used to make "drug cakes" that were moved into the interior of the country.

Edie Gálvez is identified as the alleged leader of the group, coordinating the movement of drugs and delegating tasks. Gálvez is linked to the seizure of 12 slabs of drugs transported from Colombia to Mañanitas and 102 packages of drugs transported by boat to Darién. The network also maintained a group dedicated to stealing drugs from other groups, armed with pistols and rifles.

The National Police reported arrests related to the network, including one at the 24 de Diciembre metro station. These arrests are in addition to operations carried out in Panama, Panama West, and Veraguas. The Drug Prosecutor’s Office is scheduled to present precautionary measures for those involved, with defense lawyers arguing the charges lack convincing evidence.