(MENAFN- Newsroom Panama) Panama City: César Caicedo, father of Dayra Caicedo who is pictured below, the young woman who was deprived of her liberty in February of this year, was transferred to the facilities of the Accusatory Penal System, where along with other alleged members of a drug trafficking network he faced a guarantee hearing. Drug prosecutor Delfina Pino requested that charges be filed against those arrested for drug-related offenses and crimes against public safety, specifically conspiracy. After more than three hours of hearings, Judge Josefina Monfante formally charged Caicedo and the other seven detainees.

According to the investigation, Caicedo is allegedly linked to at least four of the seven incidents during the period under investigation. He is identified as one of the leaders of the criminal group along with“Fanor Chaick,” and according to the report, he participated in meetings where logistics were planned and the storage, custody, and transportation of drugs were coordinated. Pino based his accusations on more than 70 surveillance and monitoring operations conducted from 2023 to the present. The prosecutor explained that the modus operandi of this organization, which had more than half a ton of cocaine seized, is to rely on residential areas with access to the beach, in the Vacamonte area and cluster type.

According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, these were precisely the places where the drugs were received and stored, before being transported in a convoy. The investigation also indicated to the defense that the criminal organization was instructed not to discuss logistical details over the phone, after the prosecution was questioned for not yet presenting any evidence of telephone data capture or interception of conversations. Caicedo and another Colombian citizen naturalized as Panamanian are identified as leaders of the drug trafficking network. Caicedo was apprehended Wednesday morning during a drug raid for his alleged involvement in an organization dedicated to receiving, storing, and distributing drugs from South America, using the coasts of West Panama, specifically the Vacamonte area.

According to authorities at a press conference, the investigation into this case began in 2023, and those involved have been under surveillance since then. During the proceedings, documentary evidence was gathered and real estate properties were identified. Furthermore, some of the individuals involved are allegedly linked to various properties and businesses, aspects that will be analyzed in depth during the investigation. Authorities indicated that more than two tons of drugs have been seized from the organization and that, so far, another 20 people have been arrested in connection with this case. The hearing in this case continues and remains in the precautionary measures stage. The Public Prosecutor's Office has requested provisional detention due to the risk of flight and destruction of evidence. This story remains in development...

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