Panama President Mulino links Coiba prison transfers to drug trafficking

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino stated that all individuals transferred to the Coiba prison facility have a direct connection to drug trafficking activities. Speaking during an extraordinary Cabinet Council in Tortí, Mulino explained that the government intends to continue relocating high-profile criminal figures to Coiba to isolate them from criminal structures and prevent the use of mobile phones to coordinate illegal operations, such as drug distribution and murders.

The President's comments follow the recent transfer of former Colón Mayor Alex Lee and representative Javier Lynch from the Nueva Esperanza prison to Coiba. Mulino noted that criminal activity in the country is largely driven by disputes between gangs over territory, leadership, and illicit goods.

Additionally, Mulino addressed regional drug production, expressing support for a pilot plan in Colombia involving the large-scale fumigation of coca crops. He suggested that reducing cocaine production in Colombia could significantly alleviate security challenges in Panama.