PANAMA CITY – Three Nicaraguans, two Mexicans and a Panamanian were arrested by drug enforcement agents in Panama for allegedly smuggling cocaine in computer monitors and television sets, officials said. National Police officers and Drug Prosecutor’s Office agents arrested the six suspects, whose identities were not released, during “Operation Compu.”
Law enforcement agents found 22 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside three televisions and five computer monitors bound for Nicaragua. Agents also seized $139,800 in cash and four vehicles in the operation. One of the suspects is a Nicaraguan woman, while the rest are men. Officers searched a house starting late Wednesday night on the northeastern outskirts of Panama City, where they found a workshop they say was used for packing drugs into electronic devices.
Seven coffeemakers packed with cash and apparently bound for a foreign destination were also found at the house.