National police in Panama have captured one of the country’s most wanted fugitives, an alleged gang leader with a significant bounty on his head. Edwin Enrique Quintana, known by the alias “Chemberre,” was arrested during a raid in the Río Abajo district following a joint operation with prosecutors.
The arrest marks a critical development in an ongoing crackdown on organized criminal groups in Panama. Quintana was allegedly the leader of the “P*tos Ganster” gang, a group previously targeted and dismantled by authorities in mid-2025.
Capture of a High-Value Target
Officers from the National Police of Panama executed a search warrant at a residence to apprehend Quintana. Authorities had listed him as a top-priority fugitive and offered a public reward of $5,000 for information leading to his capture. His detention is part of a broader effort to apprehend individuals linked to violent organized crime.
Investigators directly connect Quintana to leading the gang that was broken up during Operation Muralla. That major police action took place in June 2025 in the Curundú area.
“The arrest of Edwin Quintana, alias ‘Chemberre,’ is a decisive blow against the criminal structures we are combating,” a senior police official stated. [Translated from Spanish]
With this latest success, police have now captured eight of the individuals from their public reward list. The campaign continues without pause. Authorities confirm active search operations for 25 additional people tied to serious crimes including homicide and gang activity.
Police reports indicate the gang under Quintana’s alleged command was involved in multiple violent offenses. The arrest operation involved specialized anti-gang units working alongside the Superior Anti-Gang Prosecutor’s Office, highlighting a coordinated inter-agency strategy.
Ongoing National Security Efforts
This arrest underscores the Panamanian government’s sustained focus on dismantling criminal networks. The public reward system for fugitives appears to be generating operational leads for law enforcement. Officials view these captures as essential for improving citizen security in affected neighborhoods.
Residents in areas like Río Abajo and Curundú have long reported concerns about gang-related violence and extortion. Police operations targeting leadership figures aim to destabilize these groups entirely. The strategy seeks to prevent the regeneration of gangs after initial takedowns.
Prosecutors are now preparing formal charges against Quintana. He faces allegations of organized crime and homicide, among other serious crimes. His case will proceed through the specialized court system designed for complex gang prosecutions.
Panamanian security forces promise more operations are imminent. The public reward list remains a active tool, and officials urge community cooperation. They believe capturing the remaining fugitives is crucial for long-term public safety.