Through the Fusion operation, the apprehension of 24 people allegedly dedicated to the shipment of drugs to Europe and the United States, reported the Public Ministry (MP).

The drug, according to the investigation, was sent by air through the Tocumen International Airport.

Javier Caraballo, Attorney General of the Nation, said that the Fusion operation began on February 18, 2020.

Caraballo explained that the operation began with information that the drug came from Colombia in vehicles and was transferred by air to the United States.

Among the detainees, Caraballo reported, are an official of the Public Ministry (MP) who worked in a Public Prosecutor's Office with a position of senior officer, a corporal from the National Aeronaval Service (Senan), a captain of the SPI, two employees of a company that provides technical services at the Tocumen International Airport, three former employees of the same company and two employees of a security company that also provides services at the air terminal.

"All this team was articulated to receive illicit substances from Colombia, transfer them to Panama and in collaboration with the Cape of the Senan and these employees introduce them to legal charges and thus make it possible for these illicit substances to leave for the United States and Europe," said Caraballo.

The operation took place in Panama, Panama East, Panama West and the province of Coclé.

Through the operation, 20 high-end vehicles that were used by the criminal organization to transport illicit substances were also located, and $8,900 were seized.

These people are linked to the seizure of 379 packages of illicit substances on October 1, 2020 in Playa Farallón, Antón district; the seizure of 60 packages at the Tocumen International Airport in February 2021; 18 packages in El Espino district of La Chorrera; 35 packages of substances in the Tocumen International Airport and 152 packages in the village of Pilón, province of Colón.

The operation was carried out by the National Police (PN), the Public Ministry with support from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

"With this operation carried out together with @ProtegeryServir and the support of DEA, it was possible to remove groups that use our territory to commit their illegal activities from circulation," said the Attorney General of the Nation.