Panama sentences 13 gang members to up to 224 months in prison

Thirteen individuals linked to criminal structures in San Miguelito and Tocumen have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 72 to 224 months for gang membership and aggravated gang membership in Panama.

The judicial rulings stem from two major law enforcement actions: “Operation Custodia” and “Operation Corintios,” conducted by the Procuraduría General de la Nación (PGN).

Under “Operation Custodia,” nine members of a gang operating in the Belisario Frías sector of San Miguelito were convicted. These individuals, including two alleged leaders known as “Pollito” and “Bebito” from the “Los Jota” or “JDM” organization, received sentences between 72 and 100 months. The operation involved over 20 raids supported by the Dirección de Investigación Judicial (DIJ) and the Dirección Nacional de Inteligencia Policial.

In a separate proceeding related to “Operation Corintios,” four individuals were sentenced for aggravated gang membership to terms of 162, 168, and 224 months. An additional 21 people are already serving sentences for their involvement with the same criminal structure.