Panama: Colombian Drug-Trafficking Route to US

Panama News · 03-04-2008

Panama, Mar 3 (Prensa Latina) Colombian drug traffickers have continued to use Panama as a route to smuggle drugs into the United States, the world's largest market of illegal substances, according to reports published on Monday. In a lengthy article entitled "Open Space for Drug Trafficking", the newspaper La Prensa revealed the existence of 36 clandestine landing strips, which are used by drug traffickers in Panama. First Anti-Drug Prosecutor Jose Abel Almengor told the newspaper that the situation is worse because there is no control in the Colombian cities of Buenaventura and Santa Marta, where the drug is shipped. Almengor admitted that the fight against drug trafficking in Panama is very difficult with Colombia on the other side of the border. He added that due to poor surveillance, clandestine landing strips "are a paradise for drug traffickers," whose pilots know that Panama's radar systems cannot detect flights below 1,640 feet. Almengor pointed out 50 private runways have been registered with the Civil Aeronautical Authority (AAC) but 14 of them are not included in any aviation map. Sources from the sector said that unauthorized planes land in many of those runways and their owners cannot prevent that situation, the newspaper reported. President Martin Torrijos said on Saturday in Parliament that the Police's naval and air services would merge to reinforce surveillance of Panamanian territory. Panama lacks an armed force since the US invasion of the country on December 20, 1989.

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panamaoffshorelegal · 03-31-2008

I don't know what the US expects. They bomb and cripple Panama in 89 by simultaneously attacking 27 sites all in the name of getting Manuel Noriega. Well guess what... more drugs come through the country now then when Mr. Noriega was in control and on the CIA payroll.

MRWOOHOO · 03-31-2008

I would be curious how much money drugs contributes to the Panama economy in comparison to the Panama Canal and real estate? It is my understanding that the Canal is number one money maker and real estate is number two.

panamaoffshorelegal · 04-01-2008

I heard that tourism had surpassed the Canal as a money maker for the country... but that's word of mouth. I have no stats to back it up. And since drugs are illegal it would be tough to tell since all the money is under the table.

MRWOOHOO · 04-01-2008

That is interesting, I have been reading about the problems with the canal having a problem with "constipation". Also it is my understanding that world-wide trade is down. Thanks for the info.

panamaoffshorelegal · 04-01-2008

There is no doubt that the Panama Canal is in serious need of an overhaul. There are so many ocean freighters that are post Panamamax in size that this new project to widen the canal can't happen fast enough!

It's costing Panama money by NOT upgrading it... luckily the government has already addressed this and the expansion plans are moving forward nicely.