Panama seizes $60 million in contraband cigarettes

Panama's National Customs Authority (ANA) announced the seizure of a contraband cigarette shipment valued at $60 million within the Colón Free Zone (ZLC), the largest in the Americas. The intercepted goods consisted of "Ilicit-whites" cigarettes, which are legally produced but intended for markets where they lack sales authorization and do not incur taxes.

The operation, carried out by the Sensitive Customs Unit and the Directorate of Prevention and Customs Inspection (DPFA) with support from the ZLC administration, successfully detected a substantial quantity of cigarettes and a fully loaded container about to leave the premises. According to an official statement, the ANA is investigating potential violations including smuggling, intellectual property rights infringements, and signs of deterioration indicating unsuitability for human consumption. The Ministry of Health will be involved for relevant evaluations, and the Public Prosecutor's Office will continue the investigation to determine responsibilities.

This seizure is the result of a months-long intelligence operation by the ANA, which uncovered a new operational scheme allegedly employed by networks linked to illicit trade through companies established in the ZLC. In response to the evidence gathered, the ANA has suspended the operational keys for goods processing and initiated an audit. The ZLC, which hosts over 2,600 registered businesses and recorded over $25 billion in commercial movement in 2025, has been actively combating illicit activities for over two years, according to its general manager, Luisa Napolitano. This contrasts with a recent report by the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (Tracit), which identified the ZLC as a central vulnerability for illicit trade, money laundering, and the distribution of illegal goods in Panama.