The prosecution’s case in Operation Poseidon (Operación Poseidón)—a major anti-organized crime initiative culminating in the legalization of the arrest of 13 individuals—is supported by an extensive 4-year investigation initiated by the Panamanian Public Ministry in 2021. The primary factual pillars supporting the charges of money laundering, organized crime, and drug trafficking include:
1. Large-Scale Narcotics Seizures.
Over the course of the multi-year investigation, law enforcement intercepted and seized a massive quantity of contraband tied directly to this network:
- 13,000 kilograms (13 tons) of illicit substances.
- The criminal structure operated by receiving illicit substances from Colombia and transporting them across the Pacific coast to final destinations in the United States and Europe.
2. Weapons and Military-Grade Asset Recovery.
To support the organized crime and conspiracy charges, prosecutors rely on the recovery of an arsenal and tactical transport equipment seized during the investigation:
- 17 assault rifles and 12 additional firearms.
- 11 tactical or smuggling vessels captured during active tracking phases.
3. Evidentiary Material from Targeted Raids.
The final sting operation involved 48 simultaneous raids across multiple provinces, including Panamá, Panamá Oeste, Veraguas, Chiriquí, and Bocas del Toro. These raids yielded fresh asset seizures used to substantiate the money laundering charges:
- Logistical Equipment: 12 boats, 8 automobiles, 2 outboard motors, and 1 farm property (finca).
- Communication & Tracking Infrastructure: 41 cell phones, 5 tablets, 4 laptops, 1 satellite phone, 3 two-way radios, and 3 GPS devices. These are being leveraged to prove coordinated, international conspiracy and route planning.
4. Financial Discrepancies.
The network allegedly masked illicit drug profits by mingling funds with legal operations. While the defense claims the accused accumulated their wealth through legitimate regional industries—such as cattle ranching, tourist boat rentals, and transport companies—the prosecution presents forensic financial data showing these assets were used as front companies to launder millions in international drug money.
The Specialized Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime argued this Thursday, September 17, why the 13 people arrested in Operation Poseidon should be charged with the crimes of money laundering, organized crime, and conspiracy to traffic drugs. The investigation, led by prosecutor Emeldo Márquez, is based on surveillance, monitoring, telephone interceptions and the statement of a protected witness that account for the activities carried out by the criminal network in the provinces of Veraguas, Chiriquí, Los Santos, Coclé and Panama.
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