judicial

Detective arrested for drugs

A detective in the narcotics division of the defunct Policía Técnica Judicial (PTJ) was arrested with five kilos of cocaine in his possession last week as part of a covert operation carried out in Colón.

Sources linked to the case said that the detective, identified only by his last name, Sanchez, allegedly took cocaine that was seized in police operations. He was targeted for investigation after fellow officers reported him.

Sanchez has been investigated in the past for his alleged links to drug informants.

The investigation targeted two other civilian suspects, but no further arrests have been made. Police sources said that one of the suspects may have been murdered several weeks ago.

The detective worked for the PTJ for nine years, first in Panama City and then later to Colón. The arrest was confirmed by officials from the Dirección de Investigación Judicial.