Panama investigates smuggling of 100 vehicles to Costa Rica via clandestine routes

Panama's National Customs Authority in Chiriquí province has launched a criminal investigation targeting a network involved in smuggling vehicles into Costa Rica. The probe intensified after joint operations by border police and customs officials in Costa Rica resulted in the seizure of approximately 100 vehicles since December 2025.

Most of the recovered vehicles are four-wheel-drive models, illegally transported across numerous informal crossing points along the Panama-Costa Rica border. Panamanian authorities have increased surveillance along these unofficial routes.

To combat this cross-border crime, Panamanian security forces, including the National Border Service (Senafront) and the National Customs Authority, are coordinating closely with Costa Rican security and fiscal control agencies. This binational effort aims to curb the illicit traffic, which generates substantial fiscal and security risks for both nations.

Officials emphasize that this transnational criminal activity will be rigorously prosecuted under the laws of both countries. The illegal trade results in significant losses by evading import taxes, duties, and vehicle registration fees. Both nations are currently exchanging data on chassis numbers and theft reports to identify if the seized vehicles originated from rental agencies, insurance fraud, or armed robberies in Panama before entering the Costa Rican black market.

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This type of illicit transnational activity will be rigorously pursued by the laws of both countries, due to the fiscal and security damage it represents.