Enrique Lau Cortés placed under house arrest in Panama corruption probe

In Panama, Enrique Lau Cortés, the former director of the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS), has been placed under house arrest while facing investigations for alleged money laundering and unjustified enrichment. Prosecutors have presented evidence involving a network of financial transactions, including the triangulation of Siacap checks and the acquisition of high-value real estate, such as an apartment valued at over $623,000 and a beach property. While defense figures suggest an enrichment amount of $122,000, investigative bodies have noted potential losses to the state ranging significantly higher.

Additionally, the Panamanian Attorney General's Office secured provisional detention for a former local bank executive linked to the ‘Pandora’ case. This investigation involves an alleged criminal organization operating within the E-Tax system to eliminate taxpayer accounts and misappropriate tax credits.

Other regional crime reports include the arrest of a domestic worker in Paraguay for the alleged theft of 60 million Guaraníes, and various police operations in Peru and Argentina involving theft, robbery, and illegal possession of ammunition.