Crackdown on gang activity in East Panama: 10 alleged members of "Los Iluminatis" captured

Alias "Andrecito" figures among the 10 people arrested during the operation, identified by authorities as the alleged leader of "Los Iluminatis," an organization that would operate in the 24 de Diciembre township. Taken from the PNThe offensive against gangs in Panama added a new operation in the 24 de Diciembre sector, where authorities arrested 10 people allegedly linked to a structure known as "Los Iluminatis." Among those detained is alias "Andrecito," identified as the alleged leader of the group. The "Élite" operation was carried out jointly by the Public Ministry and the National Police in Sector 5 of 24 de Diciembre, as a result of an investigation begun in 2025. The proceedings focused on the area known as "La Favela" or "La Invasión," where the organization allegedly operated. Authorities link the structure to homicides, personal injuries, armed robberies, and illegal possession of firearms, as well as activities related to drugs. During the raids, cash, technological equipment, and other evidence were also seized, which will be incorporated into the investigations. The Élite operation focused on Sector 5 of 24 de Diciembre, particularly in the area known as "La Favela" or "La Invasión," where authorities locate the activity of the structure under investigation. Taken from the MPThe National Police maintains that "Los Iluminatis" has a presumed alliance with the structure known as "Los HP" or "Manzana Cero," an organization with a history in Panama East. The investigations must now establish the scope of this supposed relationship and the activities carried out jointly by both groups."Los HP" have appeared previously in investigations by Panamanian authorities. In July of this year, two people allegedly linked to that structure were arrested in San Joaquín, Pedregal, as part of investigations related to the "Bastión" operation. The group is linked to homicides, drugs, and illegal possession of firearms. Manzana Cero also has a history of investigations related to organized crime. The structure has historically been located in Felipillo and other sectors of the eastern area of the province of Panama, a strategic zone for groups dedicated to the movement and storage of drugs, while authorities have carried out various operations to weaken its territorial presence. The investigations carried out during February, March, and August allowed the seizure of more than one ton of illicit substances, which allegedly remained hidden and guarded in different residences located in Panama East. CourtesyIn the case of "Los Iluminatis," the investigations carried out during February, March, and August allowed, according to the Police, the seizure of more than one ton of illicit substances that allegedly remained hidden and guarded in different residences in Panama East. Drug trafficking would be one of the main activities attributed to this structure. The operation occurs at a time when Panama maintains 121 active gang groups, according to figures released by authorities in 2026. The registry started from some 180 identified structures, of which 59 were dismantled, while more than 400 people linked to those groups were sent to prison. The criminal map shows an especially significant concentration in San Miguelito, Colón, Panama East, and Panama North, although this year's operations have also reached other provinces. The authorities have also identified eight major structures around which different criminal groups in the country are organized. During 2026, multiple actions have been carried out against these organizations. In January, the "Dominio" operation left 14 arrested allegedly linked to Unión Sinaloa in San Miguelito, while in March the "Legado" operation allowed the capture of 19 people in Coclé and struck the structure known as "Blindaje 7." Panama maintained 121 active gang structures identified in 2026 after the dismantling of 59 others, while San Miguelito, Colón, and sectors of the capital figure among the areas with the greatest presence of these groups. (Illustrative Image Infobae)Also in March, the "Territorio" operation left five arrested from the "Los Cantorales" gang in Torrijos Carter, while in May the "Combate" operation began against a structure with territorial control in Santa Eduviges, Tocumen. A second phase carried out in August allowed the capture of five more alleged members. The actions continued during September. The "Custodia" operation left nine arrested linked to "Los Jota" or "JDM" in San Miguelito, while the "Rigor" operation allowed the capture of seven people in Colón, including an alleged leader. The investigations located the territorial control of the latter structure in Cativá and Altos de Los Lagos. Panama East thus appears again among the areas where authorities maintain investigations against organizations dedicated to gang activity. In Tocumen, moreover, four people were recently convicted of aggravated gang membership within the "Corintios" operation, while another 21 related to the same case are already serving sentences. The 10 people captured during the "Élite" operation will be brought before a Guarantees Court for the corresponding hearings, where the Public Ministry will present its requests. Until then, they maintain the presumption of innocence while investigations continue to determine their eventual responsibility and operating structure.