According to the balance presented by the director of the National Police, Jaime Fernández, Panama’s province ended with the most cases with 198, followed by the Caribbean province of Colón with 112 and the district of San Miguelito, in this capital, with 90.

He also presented figures showing that up to November this year, 4,786 robbery complaints were filed, five percent more than in the same period in 2023.

Based on the police information, common robbery increased by 22 percent, while aggravated robbery decreased by six percent, the statement added.

For Fernández, the rise in homicides was a consequence of drug trafficking and organized crime.

He also praised the micro-trafficking and drug trafficking operations that have been carried out during the last six months of the year as very positive. It has been possible to seize drugs, weapons, and also many apprehensions of persons wanted for homicide.

The official admitted that 970 members of the public order institution were investigated for internal disciplinary processes during the year, 123 were dismissed and 92 are in the process of dismissal.

In this regard, he acknowledged specific cases in which police officers were linked to drugs and corruption in prisons.

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