Panamanian authorities detained 221 individuals in a single day as part of an intensified national security strategy. The National Police of Panama reported the mass apprehensions occurred during operations this past Saturday, December 6.
Officials conducted these actions under the ongoing plan firmeza. Police executed 67 search warrants across multiple jurisdictions. Their efforts led to the seizure of three firearms, 49 rounds of ammunition, five packages of suspected narcotics, and one recovered stolen vehicle.
Traffic Enforcement and Prison Raid Conducted Simultaneously
Traffic police issued 820 citations during the same period. Violations included 91 for speeding and 14 for confirmed drunk driving. Authorities towed 61 vehicles for various legal infractions.
A separate major operation targeted the country’s largest prison complex. On Friday, December 5, police and prosecutors conducted a surprise raid inside La Joyita Prison. Codenamed “Armagedón LV,” the operation focused on specific high-risk sectors and a pavilion within the facility.
“The interventions are part of our firm commitment to citizen security,” a National Police spokesperson stated. [Translated from Spanish]
The prison raid yielded a significant cache of contraband. Seized items included 51 mobile phones, 63 bladed weapons and metal plates, 37 ammunition magazines, and 12 live rounds. Prison staff also confiscated 24 bottles of fermented liquor. All evidence was transferred to the relevant judicial authorities for processing.
Legal Breakdown of Apprehensions and Next Steps
Of the 221 total arrests, police acted on 163 judicial warrants. Another 38 arrests were for administrative offenses. Officers made 12 arrests for crimes caught in the act and seven specifically for small-scale drug trafficking, known locally as microtrafficking.
The Public Ministry (Panama) will now review the cases for formal charges. This sweeping crackdown reflects the government’s stated priority of reducing crime rates through coordinated police action. Officials indicate these high-intensity operations will continue in the coming weeks.