Panama dismantles network of Chinese migrant trafficking
Photo: Attorney General’s Office.
The Special Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime in Panama has dismantled a network involved in the trafficking of Chinese migrants and money laundering. The operation, dubbed “Asia,” has led to the arrest of five individuals allegedly involved in money laundering, following an exhaustive investigation conducted in the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Coclé, and Panama.
According to official reports, the criminal network is believed to have laundered at least US$2 million, obtained illegally through the trafficking of migrants from China. Migrants were recruited through Chinese social media platforms and, upon arrival in Panama, primarily engaged in commercial activities.
Prosecutor Emeldo Márquez, who oversaw the case, stated that the organization operated between 2017 and 2019, facilitating the illegal transport of individuals from China to Panama, charging up to US$23,000 for each trafficked individual, in a process involving routes passing through Ecuador and Peru before reaching their final destination in Panama.
During the raids, authorities seized four vehicles valued at US$203,000, two properties worth approximately US$350,000, four fixed-term deposits totaling US$850,000, as well as 15 bank accounts amounting to US$916,000, items that represent a figure exceeding US$2 million.
Police Commissioner Sergio Delgado noted that a significant amount of electronic equipment, documents, and mobile devices were recovered during the operations, which could provide additional information about the criminal network and its possible connections.
Authorities do not rule out the possibility of further arrests, as the investigation remains ongoing, aiming to identify other potential members of this criminal network.
This Prosecutor’s Office reiterated its determination to pursue and prosecute all those responsible for these crimes, ensuring compliance with the law.
Main source:
Desmantelan red de tráfico de migrantes chinos en operativo en Panamá | W Radio (2024, mayo 15).
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